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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.

Code of Best Practices for Fair Use for Media Literacy Education

Fair Use for Educational Multimedia

Multimedia

Question: What types of multimedia projects are covered by the Fair Use for Educational Multimedia guidelines?

Answer: The guidelines apply to projects which incorporate students' or educators' original material, such as course notes or commentary, together with various copyrighted media formats including but not limited to, motion media, music, text material, graphics, illustrations, photographs and digital software which are combined into an integrated presentation.

Question: May students and faculty use copyrighted works in multimedia projects?

Answer: Yes, if

  • the projects are for educational purposes, AND
  • the sources and/or owners of the copyrighted materials are properly credited, AND
  • an opening screen states that fair use guidelines were followed in the creation of the project.

Question: May I show my students' multimedia projects at an open house or profesional conference?

Answer: Yes, for two years following the date the projects were originally created. After two years, copyright permission is required to display the projects in public. However, students and faculty may indefinitely store a multimedia project in a portfolio for personal use in job interviews and tenure reviews.

Question: May I display my students' multimedia projects in my online courses?

Answer: Yes,

  • for two years following the date the projects were originally created, AND
  • if streaming technology is in place to prevent duplication and downloading of the projects.

Question: Do I own the copyright on my multimedia project?

Answer: Yes,

  • you own the copyright on the compilation, BUT
  • the original owner maintains rights on the copyrighted materials you integrated into the complilation.

Question: May I scan an image, alter it using digital imaging software, and include it in my multimedia project for class?

Answer: No, not without permission. If you scan and alter an image, you are infringing upon the owner's right of reproduction and modification.

Question: May I use an image from a commercial image collection, which I purchased, in my multimedia project for class?

Answer: No, not without permission. Most commercial image collections are meant for personal use. You may use images from a commercial image collection only if the license permits this use.