penn manor copyright guidelines

What can I Copy?
Copyright Guidelines: clear guidlines outlined by the Jefferson County Library Services
Multimedia and Video Guidelines: fair use guidelines by Gary Becker
Television Broadcasts: TV taping do's and dont's from PBS

How do I Ask for Permission?
Sample Permission Letter: the University of Texas has a great example of how to ask a publisher for permission

How to Register a Copyright?
If you would like to to officially register your copyright, follow the US Copyright Registration Procedures. Keep in mind that "copyright is secured automatically when the work is created... no publication or registration or other action in the Copyright Office
is required to secure copyright"(US Copyright Basics, 2003).

Copyright FAQ's

Books/ Textbooks-on-Tape

First graders have their reading progress taped during the year. The tape is then sent home to parents. Can the parents keep the tape or do they have to destroy it after listening to it?
The taping of entire books is not allowed for several reasons. When you take a book and make it a book on tape, you are changing original format. This is considered a copyright violation (only the author/ publisher have the right to change the format). You cannot change the format without seeking permission from the author/ publisher. The only exception is if the books were being recorded for the legally blind.

Can you record chapters of textbooks for students who cannor read well or are classified as Learning Disabled?
If a student needs a portion of a textbook recorded as a book on tape and you don't have sufficient time to seek permission, you may record a portion of the textbook. You must then seek permission from the publisher (see example permission letter ). If you anticipate needing certain textbooks on tape, you must request permission in advance. NOTE: if a student is classified as having a reading-based learning disability, the Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D) has audio textbooks which may be borrowed. You may search their catalog for textbooks and fiction books. The student or district will need to have a membership to RFB&D.

Citing Resources

I am having trouble citing resources. Are there tools to help me?
Consult your librarian, an MLA or APA booklet. The Landmark Citation Machine is a useful tool for quickly generation citations.

Internet

Where can I find images that aren't copyrighted?
Two good sites are Pics4Learning and FreeFoto. These websites allow educators, students and non-profits to use their online images without restrictions.

May images be copied from a website and posted to another website?
If images are copied from one website for use on another website, you should seek permission. In addition, it is best to include the web address (for bibliographic purposes) under the image you have copied or in a bibliography.

May images be copied from a website for use in a Power Point presentation?
Images may be used with certain restrictions. Don't use more than 5 images per artist/ photographer. From a collection or website, do not use more than 15 images or 10% (whichever is less).

Multimedia Projects

May a student or teacher use a popular song as background music in a Power Point presentation?
They may use approximately 10% or up to 30 seconds (whichever is less).

Do any websites have free music downloads or sound effects for educational projects?
For music go to Freeplaymusic or RoyaltyFreeMusic. For sound effects, go to RoyaltyFreeMusic's sound effects page. Search their database then download songs by right clicking on your mouse. Select "save target as" and save to your folder. Include a link back to their website for citation purposes.

May film or video be incorporated into a presentation?
Approximately 10% or up to 3 minutes may be used (whichever is less).

May clip art be used in multimedia projects?
Yes. (On occasion, there are restrictions specified in the clip art documentation.)

Photocopying

May magazine/ newspaper articles be photocopied for classroom use?
Current events articles from magazines/ newspapers may be photocopied for classroom. You must include the bibliographic information on the handouts. Make sure the individual article is not copyrighted.

If a teacher does not have enough "consumable" workbooks for every student, may a workbook be photocopied?
Workbooks, tests or test booklets, answer sheets, etc. that are intended to be "consumables" may not be photocopied.

Can teachers make copies from the PSSA sample workbooks?
Yes, they may be duplicated for classroom use in PA. You may also download the workbooks from the PDE's: Assessment Handbooks website.

Play Performances

Can a videotaped play performance be circulated to parents/ students to view?
If it is an original script and you have permission from the playwrite, you may videotape the performance and circulate it. However, if it is a copyrighted play/ copyrighted music, you may only tape the performance for student use. The videotaped performance may then be viewed by students so they may critique the performance.

Public Domain

What does does it mean when works are in the public domain?
Any work in the public domain may be freely used without permission from the author. The work is no longer protected by copyright. Websites such as Project Gutenberg and portions of Bartleby.com feature works in the public domain. You may Investigate the Copyright Status of a work through the U.S. Copyright Office.

Software

Can a computer program be installed on more than one computer if the game requires a CD to run it?
Since it is only physically possible for the computer program to be running on one machine at a time, you could probably install it on more than one computer. Ideally, you would have multiple copies of the CD.

Videos

Can a teacher rent or buy a videotape and show it in the classroom without restrictions? Can videos be shown as rewards?
In general, videos may only be used if 1) the video is an "essential part of the curriculum being taught" and 2) the video is show in a "classroom setting where a teacher is present" (Movie Licensing USA, 2003). In other words, you cannot show a movie as a reward or entertainment. If you would like to use a video as a PTO fund-raiser, you must purchase a one-time single showing license.

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Last modified September 27, 2006