Copyright 101

Don’t let copyright get you down!

This page and resources are meant as a quick reference. The laws vary by country and it is important to evaluate your context and any recent legal developments. It is also good to consult with professors, experts and pro bono (volunteer) attorneys that may be able to assist you as you evaluate the copyright laws that may impact your plans.

Top five tips on copyright (some material courtesy of Make Internet TV)

1. If it was produced less than 70 years ago, assume it’s under copyright.
2. If it’s under copyright and you use it without permission, that’s infringement – UNLESS it falls under fair use rules.
3. Under fair use, you can use parts, or sometimes all, of a work for the purposes of criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research.
4. Public domain – very old material is free for use by anyone.
5. For more detailed examinations of fair use rules, look at this code (PDF) of best practices from the American University Center for Social Media.

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