A Teacher’s Guide to Copyright and Fair Use

Answer Key

  1. What does copyright mean?
    Answer #1
    Copyright is a form of protection for people who create materials. It is based in the US Constitution. It gives ownership to the author’s original works. This covers published and unpublished works. Here is a list of rights the owner has-
    - To make copies
    - They can change or adapt their work in some way
    - They can give work to others
    - They can perform a work in front of others
    - They can show or display a work in front of others
    - They can transmit sound recordings and burn CD’s or share files

    You can find the answers on this Resource

  2. Why is it so important teachers understand copyright laws?
    Answer #2
    As teachers, we are frequently faced with violating copyright laws. Usually, a school’s policy manual will uphold all copyright laws. If teachers do not follow the laws, they could be in legal trouble and maybe even lose their job.

    You can find the answer on this Resource

Part 2: Fair Use

  1. What is fair use?
    Answer #1
    Fair use provides use of the Copyright Act. This lets people use certain items that are copyrighted such as copying and distributing protected copyrighted materials without permission.

    You can find the answer on this Resource

  2. What are the four factors to consider with fair use?
    Answer #2
    Purpose: How the materials are being used
    Nature:In what nature is the copyrighted work being used
    Amount: How much are you using/copying
    Effect: What is the effect of the value or potential market for the work

    You can find the answers on this Resource

Part 3: Public Domain

  1. What does public domain mean?
    Answer #1
    Public domain refers to materials that are creative but not protected under copyright, patent or trademark laws. The work is owned by the public and anyone can use these works without asking permission.

    You can find the answer on this Resource

  2. List 4 sites that would be beneficial to you to use as an educator.
    Answer #2 will vary based upon teacher needs

    You can find the answer on this Resource

Part 4: Do I Need Permission?

  1. What are the 6 steps needed for acquiring permission to use copyrighted materials?
    Answer #1
    -Is permission needed?
    -Who is the owner?
    -Find out the rights needed
    -Plan ahead to get permission
    -Communicate with the owner to see whether payment is required
    -Make sure to get permission in writing

    You can find the answer on this Resource

  2. What contents cannot be copyrighted?
    Answer #2
    -Title and name
    -Ideas
    -Government works
    -Works without authorship or facts
    -Fashion

    You can find the answer on this Resource

Part 5: Teacher Material Guidelines

  1. When can teachers make multiple copies of printed materials?
    Answer #1
    Teachers can make multiple copies for the class to use. They may also use in multimedia to teach their lessons

    You can find the answer on this Resource

  2. What types of materials are allowed to be downloaded off of the Internet?
    Answer #2
    -Images can be used for student projects and teacher lessons.
    -Sound files and video can be used in multimedia projects.
    -Students can only use a portion of academic multimedia of copyrighted works (10% or 3 minutes-the lesser of the two). This is called “motion-media”

You can find the answer on this Resource

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