Acceptable Use Policy - Copyright

A school could be held liable for copyrighted materials placed on the school web site. A copyright policy needs to make it clear that it is illegal to violate copyright laws. The schools policy to limit liability should include:

• A disclaimer that the school is not liable for any violations of the copyright laws by a student or staff member.
   
• Making copies of school owned copyrighted commercial software, music, images or other materials is unacceptable.
   
• Downloading copies of copyrighted commercial software, music, images or other materials is unacceptable.
   
• The school needs to establish a way to monitor all materials posted to the schools web site.
   
• Provide instruction for students/staff about copyrights and how to obtain permission to use copyrighted materials.
  • What can be copyrighted.
  • What materials can not be copyrighted.
  • How to find Public Domain materials.
  • How to request permission to use copyrighted materials.
  • Provide copyright permission requests templates for students and staff.

The following are links to copyright resources.

• U.S. Copyright Office
  • Copyright Law of the United States of America - You can download it in PDF format.
  • Copyright Basics
  • Fair Use
   
  
• Use Of Copyrighted Materials - University of Texas System Policy
   
• Bellingham Public Schools Copyright Policy - Bellingham, Washington
   
• Copyright and Fair Use - web site at Stanford University

Next Section - Acceptable Use Policy - Netiquette (Network Etiquette)