U.S. Copyright and Fair Use is one of the most important topics in the Digital Age. All users need to be aware of their rights, the rights of the owner of the intellectual property and the law. Technology enables us to do so many things very easily and without much thought. It is very simple to ignore or overlook the guidelines set forth by Federal Law and as such no computer or technology class is complete with a clear reference to this topic.

The files attached below all provide reference to U.S. Copyright Law and Fair Use. These should be considered every time you create a work as they provide clear direction as far as what you can (and cannot) legally do.

U.S. Copyright Office

The U.S. Copyright Office, and the position of Register of Copyrights, were created by Congress in 1897 as a separate department of the Library of Congress. Today, the Copyright Office has approximately 450 employees, the majority of whom examine and register hundreds of thousands of copyright claims in books, music, movies, software, photographs, and other works of authorship each year. In fiscal year 2011, the Office processed more than 700,000 registration claims.

The Office’s registration system and the companion recordation system constitute the world’s largest database of copyrighted works and copyright ownership information.

http://copyright.gov/

You Tube Copyright Information Page

Founded in February 2005, YouTube allows billions of people to discover, watch and share originally-created videos. YouTube provides a forum for people to connect, inform, and inspire others across the globe and acts as a distribution platform for original content creators and advertisers large and small.

These pages help define:

Copyright

https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2797466

and

Fair Use.

http://www.youtube.com/yt/copyright/fair-use.html

YOUTUBE VIDEOS:

SUPPORT FILES: