3.06 Copyright and Fair Use

Copyright, Fair Use, Public Domain

If you create something original, would you want someone to use it and say they created it? Well, of course not. You worked hard to create it, and you are proud of it. Most people would feel this way. If something has a copyright, it means that it belongs to someone, and you must either ask permission to use it or give them credit.

There are times when it is acceptable to use something or a portion of something that someone else created, this is called fair use. For example, your teacher can show you a video from a website in class. This is not a violation of copyright. It is considered fair use because it is being used for education. However, your teacher cannot post that video to her website. While it is for education, it is being distributed by your teacher on the Internet. This is a violation of copyright.

Sometimes, people will post things to sites on the Internet where the work is intended to be shared and used, this is called public domain. For example, Unsplash has free images and photos that you can download. If something is in the public domain, it is free to use without giving credit to the owner.

Advanced Search

Google will let you search for those types of resources so you do not have to wonder if you can use them without permission and not violate copyright. Once you have chosen what to search for, type it in the search box.

1. After you have searched, go to Settings under the search box.

   

2. Choose Advanced Search, and go to Usage Rights.

   

3. Select the free to use filter based on your intended use of the image or article.

Copyright and Fair Use Material

Stealing Work

Have you ever copied another person's work off the Internet? It happens more now than it ever before. With all this new technology, it is so easy to do. Other people's work can be inspiring, but you can't just go on the Internet and steal their work. This can result in legal and ethical situations. It is important to understand copyright and fair use basics for two reasons:

• To be sure that you are not violating the rules.
• To be sure that you are protecting your own work.

In other words, give credit to those who have created the work. That doesn't mean that you can't use anything from the Internet.

What is Copyright?

Copyright laws protect a person's control over their own work. If you use another persons work you are required to get permission first before you copy, rework or share copyrighted material. Most things on the Internet have a copyright:

• Images
• Songs
• Videos
• Other items that can be downloaded, or copy and pasted

It is not considered stealing as long as you:

• Ask for permission to use it.
• Give credit to the creator.
• Use the material responsibly.

Fair Use

Fair use is the ability to use a small part of someone's work without permission or paying for it. Fair use applies when you are using the material specific instances:

• Education
• News reports
• Commenting or criticizing
• Comedy or Satire

Some advice on fair use:

• Only use portions of the created material. You can crop or clip audio, video, and images.
• Create a new meaning with the work to change it from the original creation.
• Completely recreate it and use it in a different way.
• Do not make a profit from the original or new creation.
• Always give credit to the creator.

If you find material on the Internet that you would like to use follow these rules:

• Find out who created it and owns it.
• Ask them for permission to use it.
• Give credit to the creator.
• Buy it if you have to.
• Always use the material responsibly.

In today's online culture, think about your rights and responsibilities. How would you feel if someone stole your work?

 

Adapted from Commonsense Education, Copyrights and Wrongs