Copyright: Basics

Copyright is a form of protection for creators of information.  Among other things, copyright establishes who has the right:

• to reproduce the work
• to prepare derivative works
• to perform or display the work

Copyright is grounded in the U.S. Constitution and granted by law for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. Copyright covers both published and unpublished works.

 Read more at the United States Copyright Office web site.

Search electronic versions of the U.S. Copyright Law and current legislation:

Use of copyrighted works depends on the discretion of the educator intending to use the work, but the learning commons hopes to assist in the form of resources. To determine if using the work constitutes fair use, please see the Fair Use portion of this guide. The Fair Use Checklist created by Columbia University Libraries may be particularly helpful. See the TEACH Act portion of this guide for additional limitations and exemptions for educators.

Parkland subscribes to the Copyright Clearance Center (CCC), a service through which we can obtain permission for use of copyrighted works.  

The Learning Commons will initiate copyright permissions requests for you.  To begin this process, please contact Hannah Carroll (HCarroll@parkland.edu) and provide the following information:

• Course Information:  course number and section, approximate number of students, online or face-to-face
• Citation Information:  author, title, pagination, publication dates, edition, etc.
• Type of use:  paper copy, e.g. class handout, course packet; electronic copy e.g. upload to Cobra, electronic library reserves, etc.

Allow a minimum of three weeks for the Learning Commons and Copyright Clearance Center to process your request.

Costs associated with copyright clearance are billed to the department and require approval of the Department Chair/Director.

From the Parkland College Policies and Procedures Manual.

1.  No student or employee of Parkland College may reproduce, exhibit, or engage in public performances of copyrighted works in print, video, or digital form in violation of the law.
2. The Board directs the administration to develop and make available to students and employees copyright guidelines that:
   1.  encourage compliance with the copyright law
   2.  inform students and employees of their rights and responsibilities under the copyright law
   3.  inform employees regarding fair use guidelines, licenses, contractual agreements and other forms of permission that may be obtained for the use of copyrighted material.
3. Illegal copies or illegal sharing of copyrighted software, movies, or music may not be made or used on equipment owned by the College.
4.  Employees who willfully disregard this policy do so at their own risk and assume all liability for their actions

Copyright protects original works of authorship.  Patent protects inventions or discoveries.  Ideas and discoveries are not protected by the copyright law, although the way in which they are expressed may be.

A trademark protects words, phrases, symbols, or designs, identifying the source of the goods or services of one party and distinguishing them from those of others.