May 19, 2015
Why talk about copyright? What does it mean to be a content creator in
today’s world?
What does it mean to have content so accessible in today’s world?
Can attempting to make assignments plagiarism-proof help?
How do we teach media literacy?
What is copyright? A form of protection that gives the creator of
an original work the exclusive right to publish and distribute that work.
Copyright is automatic, though the U.S. Copyright Office suggests you register for legal reasons.
Copyright only lasts a certain amount of time, though for some works one can request a renewal of copyright.
After it’s out of copyright the work enters the public domain.
What does copyright protect? Literary works (which can include computer
software) Musical works, including accompanying words Dramatic works, including accompanying music Pantomimes & choreographic works Pictorial, graphic, & sculptural works Motion pictures & other audiovisual works Sound recordings Architectural works
Taken from U.S. Copyright Office “Copyright Basics” PDF:
http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ01.pdf
What is not protected by copyright?
Works that have not been fixed in a tangible form of expression (choreographic works that have not been notated or recorded)
Titles, names, short phrases, and slogans; familiar symbols or designs; mere variations of typographic ornamentation, lettering, or coloring
Ideas, procedures, methods, systems, processes, concepts, principles, discoveries, or devices, as distinguished from a description, explanation, or illustration
Works consisting entirely of information that is common property and containing no original authorship (standard calendars, tape measures and rulers, lists or tables taken from public documents)
Taken from U.S. Copyright Office “Copyright Basics” PDF:
http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ01.pdf
What is not protected by copyright?
Your sighting of ElvisHowever, copyright
will protect your picture or depiction of your Elvis sighting
Info taken from the U.S. Copyright Office
FAQs page:
http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/
Image from Library of Congress:
http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/list/235_pop.html
What is fair use? Reproduction of some of a work may be
considered “fair use” when used for:News reportingParodyCriticism / CommentTeachingScholarship / Research
Limitations of fair use Fair use is not an exact science Any guidelines set up by organizations are not a
part of Copyright Law These factors should be considered when
determining fair use:The purpose and character of the useThe nature of the copyrighted workThe amount of the work that will be usedThe effect of the use upon the market value of the
copyrighted work
Factors from U.S. Copyright Office Fair Use page:
http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html
Good example of fair use
What is the public domain?
Content no longer owned or controlled by anyone. Items in the public domain may be freely:UsedAdaptedDistributed…used for any purpose you’d like without having
to get permissions from any copyright owner
Public domain example
What’s the Creative Commons? Free licenses you add to your copyrighted
work making it easier to share and allow other people to build upon your work
Multiple difference licenses exist:
Creative Commons licensed work
Look for Creative Commons licensed work to use and/or build upon
Look for symbols like the one on our MILI wiki:
Copyright Scenarios
Copyright Scenario Checklist
Between now and our meeting… Look at the Copyright Wiki and read some of
the Copyright Scenarios. Post your thoughts about a few of them.
Look at and watch the video for the Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Media Literacy Education – linked under Month 8 resources.
Look at the other Assignments under Month 8 and blog!