SUMMARY
Copyright Kids—When you create something, you are the only one who is allowed to copy it or perform or display it publically (unless you give permission). The US has copyright laws because we believe that the creator of something deserves credit and respect. “Copyright protects ‘original works of authorship’ that are Fixed in ‘a tangible form of expression.’” The following are examples of things not copyrighted: ideas, methods, titles, names, slogans, works that have not been written down or recoded in some way, commonly available information, and works by the US government. If someone who has had access to your copyrighted work has produced something very similar to it, that person can be charged with copyright infringement. If someone reproduces something for non-commercial use or did not use much of the copyrighted material, the person may be safe from prosecution because of the “Fair Use” doctrine, but it’s best to check things out first to see if you really are safe under “Fair Use.” You can be sure that you are safe if you are using something whose artist or author has been dead for more than 70 years.
The Fair Use Rule—Under “fair use” you can use other peoples woks in the following: criticism and comment, news reporting, research and scholarship, nonprofit educational uses, parody. There are five rules to keep in mind: are you creating something new or just copying; are you competing with the source you’re copying from; giving the author credit doesn’t let you off the hook; the more you take, the less fair your use is likely to be; the quality of the material used is as important as the quantity.
5 IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES
Even students’ work is copyrighted, so beware of making copies without permission
Teachers more freedom than most under “Fair Use” to reprint things for their classroom
Teachers do not have unlimited freedom under “Fair Use” so double check the copyright information before making copies
It is safe to reprint something for the classroom if the author or artist has been dead for more than 70 years
Students need to learn how to deal with copyright information (good citations, exposure to the laws) because they can get in a lot of trouble if they plagiarize
HOW TO ADDRESS
I plan on teaching my students how to cite sources. I will definitely ask their permission before reproducing or displaying their works.
Jessica, thank you for the excellent post! I am surprised, but not shocked, at how difficult it is to fully understand copyright law. I thought I understood our readings, and then I failed the quiz (40%!). The lines are extremely blurry for teachers, and I tend to lean towards the ultra conservative fear of violating one of the principles; however, this will only limit my creativity as a teacher and the creativity of my students. I was most surprised to learn from the quiz that the programs that allow you to rip off films, television shows, etc are legal for school use! Wow. This has major potential for creativity. Students in social studies classes could put together their own video montages of historical events, for example. I also had no idea that one does not need to register to gain protection. This really does honor the idea that everyone is an artist and creator in his or her own way. Explaining this principle will be key in allowing students to understand copyright law and in giving them pride in their work.
ReplyDeleteI learned about plagiarism in middle school, yet no one has ever explained copyright law to me although it is a form of plagiarism. When I have my own class, I will definitely allow time to discuss copyright law on the first or second day of school when other rules are explained. I think it is important to use actual examples, as our quiz did, of fair use instead of just reciting the rules. It might even be worth taking the class to the computer lab to go over examples of fair use together. As a teacher, I think it is most important to set an example and be sure to follow the appropriate rules from day one.
-Catherine
Like Catherine, I finding it difficult to see the logic in copyright law. I doubt I'll feel comfortable with it until I've been exposed to numerous examples of what does and does not fall under "Fair Use." In comparison, rules of citation and plagiarism seem incredibly simple and straightforward.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I have to wonder how often teachers really take the time to seek permission to use videos and music in class. I remember watching movies on field trip bus rides and in class several times a year in school, and given the often improvised circumstances of these showings, I have to believe the rules are being ignored regularly.
That being said, I agree with that the wisest course of action with regards to copyright law would be to act cautiously and conservatively. I imagine the first few times seeking permission of use might be effortful, but just like reusing teaching materials in consecutive years, once the procedure becomes habit it wouldn't make planning too much more difficult.
Assuming one does approach copyright law and fair use issues conservatively, I have to wonder how this might impact use of public postings such as YouTube videos. Obviously these are becoming more and more common, but if my understanding of the two articles we read is correct, the authors of these postings are protected under copyright law. At some point, does all this "red tape" (for lack of a better phrase) just become tedious? Is copyright law likely to change at all given the incredible proliferation of information and products showing up on the internet.
In this same vein, use of copyright-protected information on the internet might be the most relevant issue to present to students and parents. Obviously the vast wealth of information on the web should be used, assuming the information is reliable, but with what level of consideration to the author? Just because things are posted online does not mean they are free for all to use.
My initial understanding of copyright law was limited to thinking that if you used something created by someone else and didn't earn money off of it, it was ok, but that is obviously not the case.
ReplyDeleteMy initial concerns about the copyright laws and my future actions as a teacher is using information from the internet and posting information on the internet. After taking the quiz, I found that one is allowed to post information to a private website, then it is permissible.
I am also to learn more about enforcement of copyright laws. Especially with the total quantity of material posted on the internet, it will be very difficult for someone to claim that their work is original as other websites copy and repost that information.
One thing that teachers should try and do as a teacher is to inform students about copyright law and some of the associated punishments for breaking the law. Many students do not understand the repercussions of breaking the laws or do not even know when they are breaking the law as they burn and download music/videos/books for themselves and others.
While at the University of Virginia for undergrad, there was a huge cheating scandal in the Physics department. In the introductory class, How Things Work - The Physics of Everyday Life, taught by famous professor Mr. Louis Bloomfield, disturbing similarities popped up between many students in a paper he had assigned to write. There were similar sentences with changed words, similar meanings, faulty sources, and sources that weren't cited. I remember recalling it as one of the stupidest events I had ever heard of...
ReplyDeleteAnyway, of course Mr. Bloomfield combed the papers very carefully and pinpointed various groups of students with similar papers. He devised a computer program that can catch plagarism by catching words or sentances that are close enough. Once running the papers through the program (it was a huge class), he put similar papers into groups and found there were about 5 major groups. He then called those students into his classroom as each individual group and interviewed them. He proceeded to find out that: 1. not only did they not cite all their sources and therefore contained plagiarized material, but also that they worked as groups (when the were not supposed to) and blatantly took each other's work. I guess they supposed he wouldn't notice.
He did indeed notice and all of the students faced a pretty severe punishment. I cannot recall if it was academic suspension or a class failure, or whatever, but it was written in all of the local and student newspapers. Anyway - great post. For teachers, copywrite laws are more free, but still there are rules and various exceptions to these rules for different types of sources. As a general rule, although teachers don't have to, I plan on providing source information on all my documents (in corners of slides, as footnotes on papers), so that my children will become used to seeing this, realize how important it is, and hopefully pursue the same avenue of loyalty to authors their self.
I can't foresee too many copyright issues in my class. I will of course teach them how cite sources properly, and explain the consequence and dangers of plagiarism. I will probably only use small poems and pictures for use in class. There is a plethora of free material on the internet that can be used legally in class. Google Books might be something I access often. I will always make sure to find out if there are any children with parents involved in copyright law or major entertainment companies before I show videos to the whole class. I don't want to break the law, but I've already promised myself that I will never purchase some 25 dollar permission slip from some corporate jerks like Disney. I will teach students both sides of copyright law. They will be taught not only the laws and the consequences, but the history of copyright law, as well as the inconsistencies, the loopholes, the injustices, and the arbitrariness of much of it. The Mark Twain quotes about copyright law might also be explored for further context, meaning, and understanding. FREE THE INFORMATION!
ReplyDelete