Copyright for Teachers
Copyright for Teachers
Copyright & Fair Use for Educators
Teachers use copyrighted materials every day to support instruction. Understanding copyright and fair use helps educators use books, images, videos, music, and digital resources legally and ethically while respecting the rights of creators. The resources below provide practical guidance for K–12 educators, librarians, and school staff.
Copyright laws protect the intellectual property rights of those who create new expressions of ideas, music, images (still & moving) websites, videogames, performances, architecture, software etc. It also protects the First Amendment of freedom of speech and right of the press.
The Fair Use Doctrine is an exemption from copyright laws which gives people the right to use copyrighted materials without permission or payment for limited purposes such as teaching, scholarship, research, criticism, comment and news reporting.
Public Domain refers to work that is not restricted by copyright and may be used freely without permission or payment.
Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Media Literacy Education
Written specifically for educators and addresses common classroom situations such as showing videos, using images in presentations, and creating student projects. From the Center for Media & Social Impact.Copyright Information for Teachers
PBS offers a great collection of online videos which explain the ins-and-outs of copyright regulations in education.Copyright, Creative Commons, and Fair Use
This chart was designed to inform teachers of what they may do under the law.
Here is a handy tool to help teachers determine Fair Use in the classroom!
Quick Copyright Tips for Teachers
Buying a book does not mean you own the copyright.
Always credit the original creator when using someone else's work.
Fair use may allow limited use of copyrighted material for teaching, criticism, commentary, or scholarship, but it has limits.
Public domain works are free to use without permission.
Creative Commons licenses let creators specify how their work may be reused.
When in doubt, seek permission or use openly licensed resources.