This is the second in the three part series -  Critical Challenges in Distance Education - presented by PBS/ALS.  These transmissions are videotaped, and the videotapes are available for viewing by contacting the distance education office at 6397.

Copyright Issues Online

The Danger:  The legal environment for digital copyright issues is more contentious than ever: New federal statues and judicial opinions are shifting the balance of power to copyright holders - creators, publishers and the entertainment industry - at the expense of educators.  Indeed, the concept of "fair use" for education is being narrowed by law and undermined by technology.  Even so, institutions of higher education and their faculty, staff and students are legally liable for any violations of the copyright law as it is currently interpreted and applied.

The Opportunity:  There are guidelines and  "rules of thumb" for when faculty should obtain permission to use materials they did not create.   Knowing when permissions are not required can save a great deal of time and money.  Faculty and staff will learn how to apply the "fair use" provision when using copyrighted materials in digital forms, when "fair use" does not apply, and how to get permission more easily for uses that are not covered.

Using scenarios based on real-world situations, key experts in copyright, key experts in copyright law for higher education - including Georgia Harper from the University of Texas -  will analyze issues such as:

  • How the "fair use" provision works in today's digital environments

  • Elements of Good institutional copyright policy

  • How to get information on copyright policy into the hands of those who need it most - faculty and students

  • Why Copyright Clearance Center and other such organizations are valuable

  • Why an institution's permission process should be centralized

Links to other Critical Issues Program Descriptions:
A.D.A. Issues and Requirements
Cheating and Plagiarism Using the Internet

Back to Faculty Resources