Copyright Resources:
Copyright law can seem complex and confusing—because it often is.
Its application is so case-specific that the quickest answer to a copyright question is often: IT DEPENDS.
But you CAN become more aware of copyright basics.
Here are just a few good fun basic copyright resources to introduce you to Copyright in the Digital Age.
NOTE: The information contained on this site is not meant as legal advice.
If you are seeking legal or expert assistance, please seek the services of a competent legal professional.
From the U.S. Copyright Office
Taking the Mystery Out of Copyright
- Cartoon characters explain copyright. Plain text versions also available.
- Copyright Exposed (Brief video)
- http://www.loc.gov/teachers/copyrightmystery/#/copyright/
- Files on Record (notable events in the history of copyright in the United States)
- >http://www.loc.gov/teachers/copyrightmystery/#/files/
- Reading the Fine Print (Investigate copyright law: Q+A)
- http://www.loc.gov/teachers/copyrightmystery/#/files/
- Steps to Copyright (Registering a Copyright is optional, but easy to do.)
- http://www.loc.gov/teachers/copyrightmystery/#/steps/
FAQs
What is copyright?
http://copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-general.html#whatWhat does copyright protect?
http://copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-protect.html#what_protectA HELPFUL CHART
Is it Protected by Copyright? (For works first published in the United States)
It Depends…Is the work eligible for copyright protection? When was it published?
Use the Digital Copyright Slider
http://librarycopyright.net/resources/digitalslider/TUTORIALS
Introduction to Copyright Law A free, online course from MIT’s OpenCourseWare. Electrical Engineering & Computer Science course, with specifics on copyright applying to music and audiovisual content. Reading list, syllabus and 4 video lectures.
Denison University – Copyright in 90 Seconds This site is designed for instructional purposes and offers a variety of methods by which you can educate yourself about copyright law. The information contained on this site is not meant as legal advice. The content was prepared to inform those in the academic community about copyright. If you are seeking legal or expert assistance, please seek the services of a competent legal professional.
More charts and resources (especially for educators):
http://fairuse.stanford.edu/charts-and-tools/VIDEOS
While there are many videos about copyright on YouTube and elsewhere, these two are especially fun—and illustrate just how much technology has changed!
Software Publishers Association (1992) Classic Music Video
Don’t Copy That Floppy (9:42 min) Rap music style
https://youtu.be/LDKEJzVV_kESEQUEL (2009) (17years later—how the technology has changed. Even the name of the sponsoring organization has changed!)
Software & Information Industry Association (2009)
Don’t Copy That 2 (Official Sequel to Don’t Copy That Floppy)
(4:54 min) Rap music style
https://youtu.be/hUCyvw4w_ykNOTE: The information contained on this site is not meant as legal advice.
If you are seeking legal or expert assistance, please seek the services of a competent legal professional.