This document provides information about copyright, citations, and fair use. It defines copyright as giving creators rights over their intellectual works. A citation credits sources and allows readers to find them. The document explains that using others' work without permission or proper citation violates copyright law and can result in lawsuits or criminal penalties. It recommends citing sources properly and getting permission to use copyrighted works.

1. LEARN TO CITE! Let’s get it right!
What is Copyright? By Becca Weldon and Katie Afman
Copyright gives you the rights to What is a Citation?
something you have created A citation is a quotation from If I am unsure how to cite or
including “literary, dramatic, or a reference to any kind of have questions about citing,
musical, artistic, and other book, paper, or author. what should I do?
intellectual works.” For the most
par, it is illegal for anyone to use If you have any questions
something you have created Why do I need to cite about copyright and/ or fair
without your permission. sources? use there are a few websites
Whenever you use someone you can go to as a guide:
What is Fair Use? else’s intellectual or creative
Fair Use is the conditions under ”property,” you need to provide The U.S. Copyright Office
which you can use material that is a proper citation for your http://www.copyright.gov
copyrighted by someone else source. There are two main Copyright Kids
without paying for it. In other reasons, (1) to give credit to http://www.copyrightkids.org
words fair use allows you to use a the author or creator and (2) to Copyright Clearance Center
limited amount of copyrighted enable your reader to locate http://www.copyright.com
material for your educational use. the sources you have cited.
What happens if I use other people’s work and do not cite?
Will I get in trouble?
What can I do? It is a federal crime to use other people’s work and it breaks
I can copy a passage but I must use quotes copyright laws.
and/or record where I got my information
from. I could face a lawsuit and have to pay the copyright owner, as well
as pay statutory damages, and criminal penalties.
I can use someone else’s work but must get RESOURCES:
their permission first and cite anything I use.
Copyright Kids.
Copyright kids. (2012, May 22). Retrieved from
http://www.copyrightkids.org/
What can’t I do? Cyberbee
I can’t pretend someone else’s ideas are my Joseph, L.C. (2012, May 21). Cyberbee. Retrieved from
own or copy someone else's words without http://www.cyberbee.com/copyrt.html
their permission.
U.S. Copyright Office
U.S. copyright office (2012, May 21). Retrieved from
I can’t use a citation improperly or cite a http://www.copyright.gov
source that I didn’t even read.
http://www.creativecommons.org