Copyright Basics for Faculty

Question: May I photocopy an article to share in class?

Answer: Yes, you can make one copy of an article for each student in the class when

• the article the instructor copies represents a relatively small amount of the entire journal (10% is a rule of thumb, but not a legal defense), AND
• there is no time to request permission before you want to use the article in class, AND
• it is copied only for this one course and only for this one semester, AND
• the instructor has not already copied an article by this author or three other articles from this journal issue, AND
• the instructor includes a copyright notice on the copy.

Question: Is there a limit to the number of articles I can copy each semester?

Answer: Yes, nine times, whether the copying is articles, chapters, poems, or some other short creative work.

Question: If I want to use the same article next semester, do I have to ask permission?

Answer: Yes.

Question: Is there a way I can use the article without copying it?

Answer: Yes, check to see if the article is available online or in one of the library's databases then link to it (see Electronic Reserves).

A coursepack is a collection of articles, chapters, or other works sold to students

Question: May I compile readings into a coursepack to sell to students?

Answer: Yes, if you have copyright permission. "Fair Use" does not apply to coursepacks. Faculty may not use coursepacks to replace an anthology or book of readings so students do not have to purchase it.

Question: What are the alternatives to coursepacks?

Answer: Use electronic reserves or distribute the articles individually to students. However, you may only have nine instances of copying per semester per course.