Copyright
Copyright is “the exclusive right of the author or creator of a literary or artistic property (such as a book, movie or musical composition) to print, copy, sell, license, distribute, transform to another medium, translate, record or perform or otherwise use (or not use) and to give it to another by will” (Law.com Dictionary). This “exclusive right” protects the copyright holder from unauthorized use of their original work by others.
Tips for copyright compliance
- Assume copyright: Works do not have to display a copyright symbol or copyright statement to be given copyright protection. In fact, once a work is in a fixed and tangible medium it is immediately afforded copyright protection.
- Online Sources: Look for a copyright statement, which may outline acceptable use or limitations on use. If no statement exists and you need to seek permission, find a contact person for the web site, and write to ask for permission (see Permissions Information on the IUPUI site].
- When in doubt, seek permission: If not just for the sake of professional courtesy and ethics but also for your protection.
Copyright Management Center [IUPUI]
Among the many resources available on this site, you will find basic copyright information, a fair use checklist, and a guide on how to obtain permissions from a copyright owner.
Copyright Exemptions
For the most part, your classroom projects and assignments are under the umbrella of fair use; however, it does not provide you unlimited use to copyrighted information (see Fair Use below).
Fair Use
Fair use is an attempt to balance the rights of the copyright holder and the public. It limits the exclusive rights of the copyright holder for specified purposes such as in teaching, research or other nonprofit education venues, to name a few; however, there are limits to fair use, even for educational purposes. To determine if use of a work is “fair use”, four factors must be considered. Please see the IUPUI web site above for a listing of these factors and a helpful fair use checklist.
Other Copyright Exemption Examples
- Public Domain [expiration of copyright]
- Public Domain [government documents]
- Facts, ideas
- Public Domain Chart [by Lolly Gasaway]
Plagiarism
Plagiarism, “to use and pass off (the ideas or writing’s of another) as one’s own” (American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th), can be committed either accidentally or intentionally. Careful organization and documentation while creating your project will help you avoid the pitfall of plagiarism.
Important!
Even if you have copyright permission, or have no copyright obligations, you still must cite your sources.
Citing Your Sources
- American Medical Association manual of style : a guide for authors and editors - REF R119 .A533 1998 (print)
- AMA Style Guide HealthLinks, University of Washington (online)
- AMA Citation Style Long Island University (online)
- Citation Resources (online)
- How to Cite Sources in a Paper OhioLINK guide (online)
This page was last modified on 10/01/08 by Heather Maloney.