LEGAL ISSUES
Infringing on Copyright Laws by Nicholas Wells
ing what copyright laws are and why it is important to avoid infringing on those laws. Helping students avoid infringing on copyright laws
W
is important because if they do not learn while they are students, they may have to learn when the stakes are much higher. For example, students who plagiarize or infringe on copyrights while they are students in school are subject to receiving low grades or even suspension. However, once they are no longer students, being caught plagiarizing or infringing on copyright laws can get them fired.
Many students do not understand copyright laws, but many of them do not even understand the difference between copyrights and plagiarism. Here is a basic definition of plagiarism: plagiarism is
when you use another person’s work as your own. Another way to put it is that, plagiarism is when you steal some- one’s ideas, words or any other creation and use it as your own or put your own name under it. It is important to remind students that while there is no law against plagia- rism, it is extremely unethical and could get them a failing grade or result in being kicked out of class. Plagiarism is a problem that many students face, though many of them do not even know that is what they are struggling with. Help students understand what plagiarism is and why it is important to stay away from copying or using another’s work. Here is one helpful tip to give students when it comes to plagiarism: remember not to look at another person’s work while you are trying to be creative and original; think of your own words or ideas. Basically, a copyright is the legal right to have sole
control over a creative work. Terefore, copyright in- fringement is the act of copying or distributing another’s work without his or her permission. Copyright infringe- ment is much more serious than plagiarism because infringing on a copyright law is illegal. Copyrights last a long time, so remind students that just because something
20 NOV/DEC 2012 •
TODAYSCAMPUS.COM
hile staying away from violating copyright laws may seem like a no-brainer to teachers and staff, students have a harder time understand-
is old does not mean it has no copyright. Students should know how serious copyright laws are, and how serious a copyright infringement could be. Breaking a copyright law could get a student kicked out of class. So, what should you tell students about how to avoid violating copyright laws? Well for starters, by knowing what some of the laws are and knowing what one can and cannot do, as well as giving some helpful tips, pointers and reminders, both during their careers as students and beyond. Here is a list of some things to remember when it comes to copyright laws:
THE INTERNET COPYRIGHT DEFAULT Many students believe that if they found something on the Internet, it is free game and they can use it for what- ever they like; this is not true, in fact, almost anything taken from the Internet is usually copyrighted by default. “What if it didn’t say the work was copyrighted?” Tis question comes up a lot, but students need to realize that it is not necessary in the United States for a work to have a copyright notice for it to be copyrighted; the copyright also does not have to be registered to be valid. Te safe way to go when it comes to using something that may or may not be copyrighted is to ask for permission.
NO RELYING ON FAIR USE Many try to use others’ works and say it falls under fair use. Fair use is a complex body of case law and it is sometimes even difficult for trademark lawyers to know if something falls under fair use right away. Make sure students know not to rely on “fair use.” If there is ever a question, ask for permission first.
KNOW THE OWNERS Most of the time, if you are the creator of a work, that work belongs to you; you are the owner. For copyright purposes, it is important to know who the owner of a work is. If you work for a company or organization cre- ating things like graphics, articles or photos, those things belong to the company or organization you work under.
Helping Students Avoid
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44