Glencoe Public Schools Ms. K. Sloggett Library Media Specialist 2009

Copyright is a form of protection given to authors and creators. For original works: Literary – books, papers, software Drama – plays, movies Music – songs Art – paintings, sculptures, photographs Other - websites

Why should I care? Pride Time Energy Your rights Money Appreciation

Who owns a copyright? A work immediately becomes the property of the creator at the moment it is put into a fixed form Fixed form: written, recorded, physical form If you work for a company it may belong to that company If you did the work with a group, all members own it

Infringement (CHEATING) If someone copies a copyrighted work or uses it for their own gain, the work is considered to be infringed. Using other people's research or ideas without giving credit is plagiarism. Possible penalties: Fines Criminal penalties (possibly jail)

Fair Use Others can use copyrighted material for educational and research purposes You must consider: The purpose of using the material The nature of the copyrighted work – less creative works are more likely to be used fairly The amount of the portion used of the work The effect of the use upon the value of the work

Permission Most copyrighted material may be used if you ASK PERMISSION of the copyright owner Materials and works are not required to have the copyright symbol on them to be considered protected.

Public Domain & Length of Protection Copyrights do not last forever Protection starts from the moment of creation and continues to until 70 years after the death of the creator If a work is in the public domain, anyone can copy it and use it without permission (Mozart, daVinci, Shakespeare)

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