Copyright

The Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17 U.S. Code 108(f) (1) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material.

Use of the photocopier or printer is expected to comply with United States laws governing copyrighted materials, especially being aware of what constitutes “fair use" in an academic setting.

“Fair use” is used in an academic setting and allows copying privileges not available to everyone.  However, going beyond these privileges is a crime as you are in effect stealing the intellectual property and the revenues of the original author or creator.  Abuse of “fair use” privileges is punishable by law and may result in severe fines.

Copying, printing, and posting is considered “fair use,” if these criteria are met:

• “Fair use” is academic in nature, for a non-profit and educational purpose.

• The purpose is to make material available for study for the patron’s or student’s convenience.

• The duplication regards a single copy of one original document not multiple copies. 

• Posting a PDF for an entire class to read, even from a resource the Library owns, is considered mutliple copies and is NOT "Fair use." However, linking to a PDF available through the Library Databases is considered "Fair Use" and is encouraged. 

Get It! Scan Request services provided by the Jessie C. Eury Library are limited to the same “fair use” criteria.

Copyright permission must be obtained and copyright fees paid when:

1. An article NOT available in full text is planned required reading for the entire class and is posted to CANVAS. 

2. More than 10% of a print book, such as more than one chapter or more than one reference article, is posted to CANVAS.

3. When a Library requests more than five individual articles published in a single journal title within five years.

Please note that copyright fees must be paid each semester an item is used. 

The Jessie C Eury Library is not a lawyer.  This policy and examples are developed based upon best practices in other academic libraries and attendance at various copyright workshops.