Legal use of copyrighted materials is a common daily consideration for educators, and it can often be challenging to sort out your options. The following flowchart will help if you want to:
For all instances of copyright and fair use, use of materials is considered copying if:
Special note: a link to material that exists on a website (for example: YouTube, New York Times website, or a Library subscription database) is NOT considered a copy, and no copyright or fair use considerations need to be made, except in rare cases where a site states that linking is specifically not allowed.
Ask yourself: | If so: | For more information: |
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Is the work in the Public Domain? |
|
Public Domain Review |
Is the work open licensed? |
|
Kirkwood's Guide to Open Educational Resources |
Is the work online? |
|
Library Services Home |
Does your intended use of the work fall under "fair use"? |
|
Kirkwood's Fair Use Guide |
Could I ask the copyright owner for permission? |
|
Georgia's Permissions Guide |
Could we pay the copyright holder for use? |
|
Georgia's Collective Licensing Agencies guide |
Showing a whole film in a public place is normally considered a public performance. However, there is a “Classroom Use Exemption” which states you may show an entire film in a classroom setting. Therefore, you may show a film from a personal or Library copy of a DVD, or from one of the Library's streaming video databases. See links below. Please note that many personal streaming services (e.g. Netflix, Prime, etc.) do not allow for any kind of public performance, including in a classroom.
Parts of a film may be shown during class. See the Fair Use considerations for more details on this. Note that the clips you want to show may already be available streaming on a public site such as YouTube. If not, use the Video Request Form linked below to see what options you may have.
This is a great way to have students view a whole film without taking away face-to-face instruction time. Links to any videos from a library database can be freely shared with students within Talon. DVDs or BluRay discs cannot be copied and uploaded for this purpose.
See if the Library already has access to the film, or request access through the video request form. Links to streaming videos may be posted within Talon.
A: Yes, just use the "Share" button in YouTube (or other online video source) and use the direct link or the embed code to share in Talon. Also, it's good practice not to link to a video that doesn't appear to have been posted by the owner. It's likely not a legal copy. Remember that the library can often purchase access to videos, such as an episode of a series, a movie, or a documentary.
A: Contact the Library using our video request form, and we can try to get streaming access to the video for your class.
A: This question is more complicated. First, check the usage license on the video. It is possible to find videos on YouTube that are open licensed, which allows anyone to make a copy and edit it.
In YouTube, you can create a share URL for a video that begins at the moment you want students to begin watching. Pause the video where you want the clip to begin, then click on the Share button, and select the box at the bottom that says "Start at". Copy and paste the resulting link as usual.
Kirkwood Community College respects the legal right of ownership of intellectual property in all media. It is the policy of Kirkwood Community College that all members of the college community adhere to the provisions of the United States Copyright Law (Title 17, United States Code, Sect. 101, et seq.).
Faculty and staff are reminded that it is unlawful to copy, distribute or display copyrighted material without written permission from the copyright holder, unless fair use or educational exceptions apply. Both the individual requesting such services and the individual performing the services may be liable for copyright infringement. Please consult the Kirkwood Library with questions concerning copyright exceptions.
Please note: License agreements for products, software or websites may impose further legal restrictions beyond standard copyright obligations.
Cedar Rapids Campus Library |
If you need disability-related accommodations in order to use the Library, our website, or our resources, please contact the library at library@kirkwood.edu or 319-398-5697. |