Copyright protects original works of authorship like books, music, images and software from being copied without permission. The author owns the copyright to their work unless they were hired to create it. Determining ownership can be complicated when works are combined or transformed. The TEACH Act provides additional copyright exceptions for educational use in classrooms. Fair use allows limited use of copyrighted works for purposes like commentary without permission. Knowing who owns the copyright is important to avoid legal issues and get permission when needed to use portions of copyrighted works.

2. What is copyright?
“Copyright is a form of protection
grounded in the U.S. Constitution and
granted by law for original works of
authorship fixed in a tangible medium
of expression. Copyright covers both
published and unpublished works.”

3. So, what does that mean?
It means that one is not
allowed to copy any published
materials like books, music,
games, images, software etc.

4. Who Owns what?
The author usually owns what is written, posted
or recorded unless someone else is hired to
conduct and report the information through
different media outlets.
Ownership can be complicated. Some
categories of works that used to be distinct and
about which there were few issues of
ownership may now be merged into a single
work.

5. What is the TEACH Act?…
TEACH Act is a copyright law that provides
educators with a separate set of rights in
addition to fair use, to display and perform
other’s works in the classroom and can apply to
any work not limiting it to any medium.
Basically it opens doors to the education field to
enable the use of whatever is needed to engage
and enlighten the students as needed.

6. What is fair use?
Fair use is a policy that gives you the opportunity
to protect yourself against copyright lawsuits.
There are questions/ factors to assess prior to
using work that one wishes to use in their own
presentations, writing or internet use.
Are we using others’ material fairly? Let’s find
out!

7. Four Factor Fair Use Test
1. What is the character of the use?
2. What is the nature of the work to be used?
3. How much of the work will be used?
4. What effects would this use have on the
market for the original or for permissions on the
use were widespread?

8. Why is “ownership”
important?
Knowing who owns a specific media is important
so that one does not copy or use it without giving
credit where credit is due.
Research must be conducted to make sure all is
clear and well prior to usage.

9. What permissions are
necessary?
Permission to utilize any work that one wants to
“borrow” is crucial. For starters, one must pass a few
difficult tasks in order to assure they acquire the
correct clearance.
For example; If the work is part of a book or a journal
article, check the Copyright Clearance Center
("CCC") first. This site will usually yield the results of
the copyrighted material you wish to use. Along side
this site, there are many others that will offer the
same information as to the materials posted.

10. Getting Permission
Contact the owner
Several online methods/organizations
Confirm the authority
Get it written down (documentation is key)
Keep good records
Still liable

11. Need to know more?
Feel free to visit
http://copyright.lib.utexas.edu/copypol2.html for
more in depth information on the use of
copyright, the laws and what YOU should know!

12. References
Harper, Georgia K. Retrieved September 1, 2012
from: http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-
general.html
Harper, Georgia K. Retrieved September
1,http://copyright.lib.utexas.edu/flowofcopyright.html
Harper, Georgia K. Retrieved September 1, 2012
from: http://copyright.lib.utexas.edu/teachact.html