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Copyright Basics for Faculty

This guide provides information about using copyrighted materials in the online and face-to-face classroom. Disclaimer: This guide is intended to provide general information and does not constitute legal advice.

Copyright for Music Librarians

Using music in Podcasts and Fair Use

Have questions about using music in podcasts in your classes?

Music

Question: May I make a copy of a musical work?

Answer: Yes, provided fair use guidelines are met. You may use up to 10% of the work but no more than 30 seconds of the music or lyrics from an individual musical work.

Question: May I record a performance of my students?

Answer: Yes. You may make a single recording of performances by students for evaluation or rehearsal purposes. The recording may be retained by the educational institution or individual instructor.

Question: May I make an arrangement of another composer's work?

Answer: Only if you have the permission of the copyright owner.

Electronic Reserves and Music

Question: May I place music/audio on reserve in the library?

Answer: Yes. A legally acquired copy of music/audio materials may be placed on reserve. See below for guidelines regarding placing music/audio materials on electronic reserves.

"The Music Library Association supports the creation and transmission of digital audio file copies of copyrighted recordings of musical works for course reserves purposes, under the following conditions:

  • Access to such digital copies must be through library-controlled equipment and campus-restricted networks.
  • Access to digital copies from outside of the campus should be limited to individuals who have been authenticated: namely, students enrolled either in a course or in formal independent study with an instructor in the institution.
  • Digital copies should be made only of works that are being taught in the course or study.
  • Digital copies may be made of whole movements or whole works.
  • Either the institution or the course instructor should own the original that is used to make the digital file. The Library should make a good faith effort to purchase a commercially available copy of anything that is provided by the instructor.
  • The library should remove access to the files at the completion of the course.
  • The library may store course files for future re-use. This includes the digital copy made from an instructor's original if the library has made a good faith effort to purchase its own copy commercially."