U.S. Copyright Law

Who owns the copyright?

• creators of original works
• creators' assignees
• employers: works for hire

Five rights of copyright holders

• reproduction
• modification
• distribution
• public performance
• public display

For more information, visit http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/106.shtml

Permission or license to use a copyrighted work is NOT required if:

• work is in the public domain
• work is a fact or an idea
• it falls under the protection of fair use doctrine

Why officially register your copyright?

You could possibly receive greater compensation, with less documentation when you file an infringement suit. For more information, visit http://lcweb.loc.gov/copyright/fls/fl102.pdf.

Include a statement of ownership in your ETD!

Fair Use

Before you use someone else's work without permission, consider the following four factors of "fair use":

1. Purpose and character of use
2. Nature of the copyrighted work
3. Amount, substantiality
4. Effect

Read more about fair use at the Library of Congress website

Myths About Copyright

• "Copying just a little bit is OK."
• "Attribution is as good as permission."
• "It's free advertising!"
• "I modified it; now it's mine."
• "It's OK--it's for educational purposes." (consider "fair use," above)
• "You have to give away all your rights to get published."
• "It doesn't say it's copyrighted."
• "It's on the Web so I can use it without asking."