Introduction
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Disclaimer: This guide on using public domain materials, Fair Use materials, Creative Commons licensed materials, and copyright law is provided for informational purposes only. We are not lawyers and cannot provide legal advice. This guide is intended to provide useful links only. Should you require legal advice, please contact an attorney. |
Copyright Basics
- Copyright NavigatorAn annotated concept map depicting the fundamentals of copyright law
- Copyright FAQsFrequently Asked Questions about Copyright and their answers from the United States Copyright Office
- Copyright Basics (PDF)A printable circular containing basic parameters, definitions, and guidelines regarding copyright from the United States Copyright Office.
- Overview: Copyright, Fair Use, and Seeking PermissionsA list of links leading to copyright guides and resources provided by the Stanford University Libraries
- The Permissions ProcessOffers an overview of the copyright permissions process, explaining the purpose and legal basis for permission, as well as the potential risks of operating without permission.
Copyright Tools
- Public Domain SliderA handy sliding scale that determines the status of works published in the U.S based on publication date
- Cornell Copyright Information CenterAn easily understood graph designed to help determine whether an item is in U.S. copyright
- Copyright GenieA step-by-step questionnaire genie that helps the user determine if a work in question is covered by copyright and calculate the terms of protection.
- Writers, Artists, and their Copyright Holders (WATCH)Writers Artists and Their Copyright Holders is a database of copyright contacts for writers, artists, and prominent figures in other creative fields.
Fair Use
- Fair Use EvaluatorA tool to help determine fairness of use of resources.
- Fair Use: Center for Social MediaGuidance on fair use developed at the Center for Social Media at American University's School of Communication.
- Section 107, Title 17 (Fair Use)The section on fair use in the U.S. copyright code.
- Fair Use Factors and CasesA guide from Stanford University Libraries that explains the various rules behind fair use principles.
- Thinking Through Fair UseAn interactive tool that helps the user organize thoughts and issues regarding fair use.
- Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for PoetryA code of best practices in fair use for poetry from the Center for Social Media in the School of Communication at American University.
- Statement of Best Practices in Fair Use in Dance-related MaterialsStatement of Best Practices in Fair Use of Dance-related Materials produced by the Dance Heritage Coalition that clarifies what librarians, archivists, curators, and others working with dance-related materials currently regard as a reasonable application of the Copyright Act's fair use doctrine.
- Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for the Visual ArtsCode of Best Practices in Fair Use for for the Visual Arts from the College Arts Association.
U.S. Copyright Law
- U.S. Copyright OfficeMain Webpage for the U.S. Copyright Office that leads to various resources regarding copyright law and practices.
- Title 17, U.S. CodeLink to U.S. Copyright Code Title 17 that includes PDF links to the text.
- Copyrightlaws.com: U.S.A portal for copyright and licensing information, maintained by copyright lawyer Lesley Ellen Harris.
UH Copyright Resources
- Copyright and Fair Use For Electronic and Print ReservesFrom the UH Libraries.
- Copyright and Digital StorytellingCreated by instructional technology students in the College of Education.
- Illegal File Sharing and Copyright InfringementPolicies on copyright compliance on UH technology.