Copyright and Fair Use for Educators
COPYRIGHT AND FAIR USE FOR EDUCATORS
A 2-page guide to US copyright law as it applies to education. Included are definitions of common terms as well as recommendations for sharing copyrighted works with students, colleagues, and online.
US copyright law protects creative works from being copied, modified, or distributed without its creator’s permission for a limited period of time. Those found infringing on a creator’s copyright, including teachers, can face penalties while also placing their educational institutions in legal peril. Therefore, teachers should take time to inform themselves on key parts of US copyright law that apply to their professional work. Doing so can help them remain within the letter of the law while modeling legally-complainant practices for their students.