Copyright
Disclaimer
The Edwin H. Mookini Library faculty and staff do not provide interpretations of copyright laws. For your personal and professional guidance and interpretation of copyright laws, we recommend utilizing the sources listed on this page.
Please note that patrons using scanners, computer printers, microform reader / printers and full-text databases are responsible for copyright compliance. The following copyright compliance reminder has been placed on all scanners, computer printers, and microform reader / printers:
- Notice
- “The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyright material. The person using this equipment is liable for any infringement.”
On this page:
What Is Copyright?
From the U.S. Copyright Office: Copyright is a form of protection given to authors of original works. The word copyright means the exclusive right of authors to make copies of their works. This includes literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works. The purpose of copyright is to encourage creativity by authors and artists.
See also:
- Copyright 101 from Cornell University
- Copyright Foundations - from the Copyright Clearance Center
Understanding Copyright
- If a work you want to use is copyrighted, you will need to ask the copyright owner for permission to use that work.
- If a work has more than one author, the authors are co-owners of the copyright.
- Writings and other works are copyrighted as soon as they are put in a tangible form with no notice necessary.
- These copyrighted works include items posted on the internet. This means that you cannot just copy and paste things from the internet, including photos. If you use images from the internet, you must cite the source just like you do for a book or journal article.
Copyright and Audio/Video Performance Rights
Cornell University Law School has a page on 17 U.S. Code § 110 - “Limitations on exclusive rights: Exemption of certain performances and displays” and also a Notes tab to help with understanding.
Fair Use
Sometimes a copyrighted work can be used in a limited manner under the principle of fair use, including criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.
The four factors used in determining fair use are the:
1. The purpose and character of the use (commercial nature vs. nonprofit educational use)
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
4. The effect of the use upon the potential market for, or value of, the copyrighted work
More details about the four factors are available from Columbia University Libraries.