Research Guides: Copyright for NECC Students and Educators: Introduction

What is Copyright?

Authors and creators of “original works of authorship” using any medium of expression are protected under the Copyright Law (17, US Code 102). This law applies whether the original works are published, unpublished, registered, or unregistered with the United States Copyright Office.

The creators of the original work must simply fulfill three requirements:

the work must be able to be seen, read or heard,
the work must owe its creation to an author,
and the work must be the product of at least a minimal level of creativity.

U.S. Copyright Office | Copyright Law of the United States
The latest version of the U.S. Copyright Law.
U.S. Copyright Office | Copyright Basics
An overview of copyright from the United States Copyright Office.

Exceptions and Limitations to Copyright

There are some exceptions and limitations to copyright that can allow for limited use of copyrighted materials. These resources help to better explain these exceptions and limitations.

U.S. Copyright Office | Fair Use
Fair use allows for the limited use of copyrighted materials without obtaining copyright permission when the materials are used for teaching, scholarship, research, criticism, and commentary.
U.S. Copyright Office | Reproduction of Copyrighted Works by Educators and Librarians
Allows libraries and archives to reproduce one copy of a work without obtaining copyright permission.
University of Texas Libraries | The Teach Act
This act clarifies when it is permissible to use copyrighted materials in a distance education setting.
U.S. Copyright Office | Digital Millennium Copyright Act
This act heightens the penalties for copyright infringement on the Internet and makes it illegal to produce or distribute technology that can circumvent measures taken to protect copyright.