Copyright & Fair Use for Students & Educators

COPYRIGHT & FAIR USE

Copyright law promotes innovation, creativity, and progress by protecting one's ability to make a living from one's intellectual property. Educational fair use acts to balance an individual's right to his/her work and an educator's or student's need to use that work for educational purposes.

Why is understanding copyright important for educators?

EDUCATOR PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS Links to an external site.
School Library Media Coordinators (SLMC) and Instructional Technology Facilitators (ITF)  "Participates in state and/or national conversations regarding ethical access and use of resources, intellectual property, and digital citizenship" (SLMC: Standard 1, Element D, Distinguished; ITF: Standard 1, Element E, Distinguished)

Teacher "Models the tenets of the Code of Ethics for NC Educators and the Standards for Professional Conduct and encourages others to do the same" (Standard 1, Element E, Distinguished)

Digital Learning Competencies for Educators

• “Educators inspire students to positively contribute to and responsibly participate in the digital world.” NC Digital Learning Competencies for Educators

• “Coaches model digital citizenship and support educators and students in recognizing the responsibilities and opportunities inherent in living in a digital world.” NC Digital Learning Competencies for Coaches

Digital Learning Competencies for Administrators

• "Leaders use technology to increase equity, inclusion, and digital citizenship practices" NC Digital Learning Competencies for Education Leaders

STUDENT CURRICULUM STANDARDS

NC Digital Learning Standards

TEACHING AND LEARNING RESOURCES 

Copyright FAQs For Educators Links to an external site.

Copyright Resources for Teachers and Students Links to an external site.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• ALA-Fair Use Links to an external site. (geared toward librarians)
• Are You Being Fair? Links to an external site. (Kathy Parker's NCCAT presentation for SLMCs)
• The Basics of Copyright Law Links to an external site. (Donna Murray's PD)
• Copyright, Copy Left, or Copy Wrong Links to an external site. (Recording of Donna Murray's session for #NCLearnsTogether)
  • Recording of Donna Murray's session for #NCBOLD Links to an external site. (Password to view: Eh3XJsTV)
• Copyright: Policies, Resources, and Questions for School Librarians Links to an external site. (NCLA journal article)
• Copyright and Creativity Webinars Links to an external site.
• Copyright Advisory Network Links to an external site. (geared toward librarians)
• Copyright for Educators and Librarians  Links to an external site.(free online course)
• Copyright for K-12 Librarians and Educators Links to an external site. by Carrie Russell (eBook available via Ebsco)
• Copyright in the K-12 Classroom Links to an external site. (NCEES Course)

CONTACT INFORMATION

For more information about copyright and fair use, please contact the Sandhills Regional DTL Consultant, Kathy Parker, kathy.parker@dpi.nc.gov.

Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only so that you can learn more about copyright and fair use. It is not for the purpose of providing legal advice. Please consult an attorney if you need legal advice.

Updated December 30, 2024