The Basileiad Library at Manor College. Information Literacy course.  Copyright.

Copyright refers to the protection of intellectual property. Copyright law prohibits the reproduction of another's work without that person being compensated. For example, if a photograph of a rock star were published in a journal, then the photographer would be paid for the use of the photograph by the journal. If someone were then to make a copy (in any format) of that photograph, that would be a breach of copyright because the photographer is not being compensated for the further use of the photograph.

Copying extensively from the internet is against copyright law, which applies to any creation (music, art, fashion, books), whether printed or not. Also, copyright applies whether the copy is made on a photocopier or a scanner or just though using cut-and-paste methods. A copy is a copy is a copy.

There is a provision in the copyright law for some photocopying to be allowed for educational purposes. The extent of copying called 'fair use' is not specifically defined. The decision as to whether there has been a breach of copyright will be determined on a case by case basis by the courts. The court will then look at four factors:
    1. The purpose and character of use (is it for nonprofit educational purposes)
    2. The nature of the work (a photograph or a book)
    3. The proportion of the work copied (all, or 10%)
    4. The effect on the potential market (did it prevent a sale)

The safest thing to do is follow the limitations found in British law: From a book: one chapter or 10% (whichever is greater), and from a journal: one article.

The next module is about plagiarism.

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