This document provides an introduction to copyright for elementary teachers. It discusses how copyright laws can be complex, as works may be protected even without a visible copyright notice. Fair use allows some educational use of copyrighted works without permission. The TEACH Act provides additional rights for educational displays and performances. When using copyrighted works, teachers should determine if permission is needed based on factors like whether the work is protected, available under an open license, or falls under fair use or another exemption. Getting permission is ideal when needed but may not always be possible.

1. Copyright © An introduction to Elementary Teachers presented by Conrado Gonzalez

3. Many corporations have partnered with libraries all around the world in an effort to digitalized and make available, thousands of works for the public.

4. Conversely, long term copyright laws keep many of these works unavailable to the public at large.

7. To many this is outdated but it takes time to modify the law.

9. The problem is that these are very vague and unclear.

12. But there is hope in great part for the organized efforts yielding for instance Fair Use Best Practices statement and the availability of material with Creative Commons licenses.

13. Yet we must never lose track of harsh penalties for infringement.

14. A court can award up to $150,000 for each separate act of willful infringement. You will be also liable if you unknowingly broke the law, but the amount will change.

16. Works in the public domain

17. Freeware

18. US Government works

19. Facts

20. Ideas, processes, methods, and systems described in copyrighted works. If the work is protected, has your educational institution already licensed rights for me to use.

22. Use a work as the basis for a new work

23. Electronically distribute or publish copies

24. Publicly perform music, prose, poetry, a drama, or play a video or a CD-ROM.

25. Publicly display an image on a computer screen or otherwise.Is your use exempt or excused from liability for infringement?

27. Making copies for library patrons

29. Images archives

30. Creative uses

32. What is the nature of the work to be used?

33. How much of the work will you use?

35. Although these apply mostly to face-to-face instruction there are efforts to extend these rights to distance learning.

36. It is promising that these rights together with fair use will greatly enable, effective distance education.

38. There are other websites/agencies for foreign works.

39. There are specific websites for image archives, music performance, play rights, and movies. Remember that if you are part of an educational institution, such as a university you could be covered by their license agreement.