Copyright is a form of protection provided by the laws of the United States (title 17, U. S. Code) to the authors of “original works of authorship,” including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works.
The library serves an important role in educating school staff about copyright laws as they pertain to education.
Fair Use
Copyright law provides certain exceptions to non-profit schools for the reproduction of copyrighted items. These exceptions are considered the “fair use exemptions”. It states:
Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright. In determining whether the use made of a work in any particular case is a fair use the factors to be considered shall include —
(1) the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;
(2) the nature of the copyrighted work;
(3) the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and
(4) the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.
The fact that a work is unpublished shall not itself bar a finding of fair use if such finding is made upon consideration of all the above factors. (17 USC, 107)
Public Performance Site License
All schools in Celina ISD purchase a performance license each year which permits the school to show non-curricular films and videos from limited lists of producers. The license is obtained from Movie Licensing USA and is displayed in the library.
Contact Information:
Movie Licensing USA
201 S. Jefferson Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63103-9954
877-321-1300
Additional Information
The topic of copyright, though important in the educational process, is complex. More information on copyright laws may be obtained through the books and websites listed below:
Books
General Guidelines
Fair Use