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Copyright Laws

drawn from the Fair Use Guidelines - Compiled by REMC #13

Published Courtesy of REMC #13

Audio Visual Materials

To Protect educators when using copyrighted audiovisual materials in a class, the following conditions must be met:

the materials must be shown by instructors (including guest lectueres) or by pupils; and
the material is shown in connection with face-to-face teaching activities; and
the entire audience is involved in the teaching activity; and
the teaching activities are conducted by a non-profit education institution; and
the material is shown in a classroom or similar place devoted to instruciton, such as a school library, gym, auditorium or workshop;
the material is lawfully made; the person responsible had no reason to believe that the materials was unlawfully made.

You may not use the audiovisual material when:

It is for entertainment or recreational purposes and unrelated to a teaching activity.
It is transmitted by radio or television from an outside location (such as closed circuit from another building)
It is shown to an audience other than those involved in the teaching activity even when those involved in the teaching activity are present.
You may not use and illegally acquired or duplicated copy.

Computer Software

These are general guidelines regarding the use of computer software. In all instances you must abide by the licensing agreement that governed the purchase of the software. These agreements can be found as a statement on the shrink-wrap or the cover or as a separate document.

You May

Make an archival or back-up copy of a software program that you own. The back-up copy is to be used only if the original fails.

If the copy you use is detroyed, another archival copy may be made. If the copy is stolen, the copyright owner should be consulted before using the archival copy.
Load the copy onto a single computer.

You May Not

Make multiple back-up copies.
Load the program onto more than one computer.

Videotaping

These guidelines were developed to apply only to off-air recording by non-profit educational institutions.

Off-Air Recording

Videotapes may be kept for only 45 calendar days after the recording date. The tapes must be erased after this time.
The videotape may be shown to students only during the first 10 school days after the recording date. It may be repeated once for reinforcement.
Off-air recordings may be made only at the request of an individual teacher and not in anticipation of a teacher request. The same teacher can request the program be recorded only once.
If several teachers request the same program be recorded, duplicate copies can be made.
After the first 10 school days allowed for showing, the recording may only be used for evaluation purposes.
Off-air recordings may not be edited or combined with other recordings to crate and anthology or a new work.
All copies of the recording must contain a notice of copyright as broadcast.

"For Home Use Only" Videotapes

Videotapes labeled "For Home Use Ony" may be used in the classroom provided the use meets the same criteria outlined for the use of copyrighted audiovisual material.

BACK Updated 11.13.01