Information and creative works are everywhere. People create the images, articles, poems, websites, recordings, and music that you read, see, or hear. Their ideas, writings, art, and productions are their “intellectual property.” Whether the person who wrote or created the item is very young or lived over 500 years ago, whether their work is in a book, in a database, or posted online for anyone to see, it is important to give people credit for their work. You must cite the source of any intellectual property that you use for a project or report. It doesn’t matter if the project is short, or if the person who created the work is not famous...you need to give credit where credit is due.
What should you cite? Everything!
The Ethical Use of Information: Give Credit Where Credit is Due
Anything that someone else created is his or her “intellectual property.”
Why should you cite all your sources?
You work hard and deserve credit for the work you do.
The authors or creators worked hard; in many cases, it took them years to complete their work. You need to acknowledge their efforts and show respect for their intellectual property.
Citations show that you are a “pro.” You want to do it right, and you want others to know that your information is reliable.
It is against the rules of all schools and all colleges to use someone else’s work without acknowledging the source.
It is against the rules of all schools and colleges to plagiarize: to copy someone else’s work and put your name on it.
What are the rules?
SJNMA rules:
All students must cite their sources.
“A cadet shall not lie, cheat, steal or tolerate those who do.” Plagiarism is an Honor Board offense. If you plagiarize, you will receive an “F” and you will go before the Honor Board.
College rules:
All students must cite their sources. If a student does not cite his or her information sources, he/she will receive a failing grade (“F”).
A student who has plagiarized or cheated will be expelled from college. This will become a permanent part of the student’s college record.
A bit about copyright laws:
“Fair use laws” regarding copyright in schools
The “fair use exemption” to the copyright law allows teachers and students to reproduce sections of copyrighted work for “purposes such as [teaching,] scholarship or research…” (14, Simpson)
The “fair use” law allows students and teachers to quote and cite copyrighted works without contacting the author or organization who holds the copyright. (14, Simpson.)
Federal laws regarding copyright
U.S. copyright law “defines six rights reserved exclusively for the copyright holder of a copyrighted work: [reproduction, adaptation, distribution, performance, display and digital audio transmission]” (14, Simpson)
Your work is copyrighted: the AB©’s of copyright
Any creative work produced since 1978 is automatically protected by copyright. That includes any original work that you have created.
If you plan to use copyrighted materials for any work that is unrelated to school (a personal webpage, video, podcast, blog, etc.) you must have the written permission of the copyright holder. You must also acknowledge all intellectual property. Individuals who reproduce all or part of another person’s work without permission are in violation of U.S. copyright laws and may be subject to fines or lawsuits.
What is Creative Commons copyright (CC)?
Everyone wants credit for his/her work. Some people are willing to share their work, so that others can use it for research and new innovations. A Creative Commons copyright lets that happen. To learn more about sharing copyrighting through (CC) visit: http://creativecommons.org
Resources:
"7 things you should know about Creative Commons." Educause Learning Initiative . Educause, Mar 2007. Web. 19 Mar. 2011. < http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7023.pdf.>
"Copyright Law of the United States of America and Related Laws Contained in Title 17 of the United States Code, Circular 92 , Chapter 5: Copyright Infringement and Remedies." U.S. Copyright Office. U.S. Copyright Office, n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2011. < http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap5.html >
"Creative Commons." Creative Commons. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2011. <http://creativecommons.org >.
Eagleton, Maya B., and Elizabeth Dobler. Reading the Web strategies for Internet inquiry. New York: Guilford Press, 2007. Print.
"Information Literacy: Ethical Usage." Supporting Information Literacy and Online Inquiry in the Classroom. Perf. David Warlick. 2009. Laureate Education, 2010. DVD.
"Safe and Ethical Practices." Supporting Information Literacy and Online Inquiry in the Classroom. Perf. Sara Armstrong. 2009. Laureate Education, 2010. DVD.
Simpson, Carol. Copyright for schools: a practical guide. 3rd ed. Worthington, Ohio: Linworth Pub., 2001. Print.
Talab, Rosemary S., and Rebecca P. Butler. "Shared electronic spaces in the classroom: copyright, privacy, and guidelines." Tech Trends Jan. - Feb. 2007: 12-15. Print.