Copyright laws provide authors and publishers legal rights over the reproduction of their work. The 1976 revisions to copyright law allow teachers to make single or multiple copies of copyrighted works for classroom use if certain conditions are met, including that the copying is inspired by the teacher and for the purpose of one course. Fair use clauses in the law allow for copying materials intended to promote knowledge and scholarship based on factors like the purpose of the use and amount of the work copied. Violations of copyright law can constitute innocent, standard, or willful infringement depending on the intent, with liability falling on the individual who infringed or those in positions of responsibility like principals if infringements occur on their campuses.

1. Copyright Laws in the Public School William Allan Kritsonis, PhD