WHY COPYRIGHT?

Creativity is essential for civilizations to thrive, and protecting the rights of creators provides a safer environment for developing and expressing new ideas. Copyright laws allow you to create freely and know that your work is automatically protected, from the moment it is created, against unauthorized use. [Learn more at the Library of Congress or download and read the Copyright Basics PDF link below.]

WHAT ABOUT FAIR USE?

The simplest way to know it is okay to use someone's work is to ask them for permission. However, there are times when you may use someone else's work without seeking their permission. Items you find on government websites and in the public domain are two common examples. In some circumstances you may also be able to legally use copyrighted material without the copyright holder's permission, as long as the way you use it meets fair use guidelines. However, many people misunderstand what constitutes fair use, so be careful. [See the links below for best practices in fair use and a tool that helps you determine if a work is protected by copyright.]

HOW DOES CREATIVE COMMONS HELP?

Sometimes creators want to allow other creative people like you to use their work without having to seek their permission. Creative Commons provides an easy way for creators to let others know how their work can be used. Learn more about how Creative Commons works by visiting its website and by watching the linked videos below. It is very important to read carefully the uses the creator has allowed!

RESOURCES AND LINKS

VIDEO: Get Creative [6:37] This short film covers the basics of why Creative Commons was formed, what they do, and how they do it. 

 
VIDEO: Wanna Work Together [3:36]  This video explains in practical details how creators expose, share, and remix their works using Creative Commons' free public licenses.

VIDEO: Building on the Past [2:00]  The winner of Creative Commons' Moving Images Contest, Justin Cone created a short, succint "commercial" that demonstrates what Creative Commons is, and how it works.

Creative Commons Website

FREE MUSIC Website Using Creative Commons Licenses

DOCUMENTS: Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Online Video, and Best Practices in Fair Use
[click on the images to open or download a PDF]

DOCUMENT: Copyright Basics
[click on the image to open or download a PDF]

WEBSITE: Is it Protected by Copyright? – ALA Digital Slider Tool