Copyright is a legal concept that grants creators exclusive rights over their original works. It aims to enable creators to financially benefit from intellectual works like books, photos, and music. Copyright covers expressible ideas in forms like text, images, and software code. It gives owners the right to copy, publish, broadcast, perform, and adapt works. On the internet, information is still subject to copyright law. Plagiarism involves passing off someone else's work as one's own and should be avoided when using electronic resources for teaching and learning by properly citing sources. Electronic resources available include e-journals, e-archives, e-manuscripts, e-research databases, and e-books.

1. Introduction to CopyrightIntroduction to Copyright
 Copyright is a legal concept enacted by most governments, thatCopyright is a legal concept enacted by most governments, that
grants the creator of an original work exclusive rights to its usegrants the creator of an original work exclusive rights to its use
and distribution, usually for a limited time, with the intention ofand distribution, usually for a limited time, with the intention of
enabling the creator of intellectual wealth (e.g. the photographerenabling the creator of intellectual wealth (e.g. the photographer
of a photograph or the author of a book) to receiveof a photograph or the author of a book) to receive
compensation for their work and to be able to financially supportcompensation for their work and to be able to financially support
themselves.themselves.
 Copyright is a form of intellectual property as patents,Copyright is a form of intellectual property as patents,
trademarks and trade secrets are applicable to any expressibletrademarks and trade secrets are applicable to any expressible
form of an idea or information that is substantive and discrete. Itform of an idea or information that is substantive and discrete. It
is often shared, and then percentage holders are commonlyis often shared, and then percentage holders are commonly
called right holders legally, contractually and in associatedcalled right holders legally, contractually and in associated
“rights”.“rights”.

2. Copyright gives the owner the legal right to do certain things to the
work, e.g. make a copy, publishing, broadcasting or giving a public
performance and making adaptations to the work. Anyone else who
does any of these things without the permission of the owner infringes
copyright and may be sued by the owner for the infringement.
Generally, rights holders have the right to copy but also the right to be
credited for the work to determine who may adapt the work to the
other forms, which may perform the work, which may financially
benefit from it and other related rights.

3. Copyright and InternetCopyright and Internet
The internet has made it possible for researchers to surfThe internet has made it possible for researchers to surf
through millions of pages of information online in a matterthrough millions of pages of information online in a matter
of seconds. People who upload materials online do so becauseof seconds. People who upload materials online do so because
they want the massive readership to access their work.they want the massive readership to access their work.
However, by the very nature of such distribution, they can alsoHowever, by the very nature of such distribution, they can also
expect that their materials are being downloaded, copied andexpect that their materials are being downloaded, copied and
used the same way, but information accessed on the internet isused the same way, but information accessed on the internet is
subjected to copyright law just as printed sources are.subjected to copyright law just as printed sources are.

4. Importance of Copyright LawImportance of Copyright Law
The importance of copyright is that;The importance of copyright is that;
 it promotes the progress of science and useful artsit promotes the progress of science and useful arts
 a copyright disallows the copying of another original work, either written ora copyright disallows the copying of another original work, either written or
drawndrawn
 Copyright law is a legal protection provided to the original author of aCopyright law is a legal protection provided to the original author of a
material.material.
 Copyright law strives to balance the interests of copyright owner and users. ACopyright law strives to balance the interests of copyright owner and users. A
copyright owner has control or exclusive right to prohibit users from using acopyright owner has control or exclusive right to prohibit users from using a
work or any specific way without the owner’s permission.work or any specific way without the owner’s permission.
 Copyright law helps to make sure that the original work and idea could not beCopyright law helps to make sure that the original work and idea could not be
stolen.stolen.
 A copyright owner has the exclusive right to control:A copyright owner has the exclusive right to control:
 Distribution of his workDistribution of his work
 Preproduction of his workPreproduction of his work
 Adaptation of his workAdaptation of his work
 Public display and public performance of his work.Public display and public performance of his work.

5. Basic Principles Guiding CopyrightBasic Principles Guiding Copyright
MaterialsMaterials
 General: this disclaimer and user agreement sets forth the terms andGeneral: this disclaimer and user agreement sets forth the terms and
conditions of a license for you to use the global database on the guidingconditions of a license for you to use the global database on the guiding
principles of internal displacement, by accusing and/or using the globalprinciples of internal displacement, by accusing and/or using the global
database, you agree to comply with all of the terms and conditions of thisdatabase, you agree to comply with all of the terms and conditions of this
disclaimer and user agreement. From time to time, these terms anddisclaimer and user agreement. From time to time, these terms and
conditions may be modified and subsequent use of the global database willconditions may be modified and subsequent use of the global database will
imply consent of those changes as well accordingly.imply consent of those changes as well accordingly.
 Nature of the Service: the global database is provided as an informationNature of the Service: the global database is provided as an information
service only and does not constitute legal advice. The information hereinservice only and does not constitute legal advice. The information herein
may not be entirely up-to-date or complete. This is particularly true withmay not be entirely up-to-date or complete. This is particularly true with
regard to the information and documents on national law which thisregard to the information and documents on national law which this
database does not comprehensively cover.database does not comprehensively cover.

6. •Copyright and Proprietary Information: the global database containsCopyright and Proprietary Information: the global database contains
copyrighted material and/or other proprietary information that iscopyrighted material and/or other proprietary information that is
protected by intellectual property agreements and copyright laws andprotected by intellectual property agreements and copyright laws and
regulation worldwide, some of the documents provided herein are ownedregulation worldwide, some of the documents provided herein are owned
by persons or entities.by persons or entities.
Limited Use License: you are hereby granted a non-transferable license toLimited Use License: you are hereby granted a non-transferable license to
use, download and print the materials contained in the global databaseuse, download and print the materials contained in the global database
solely for non-commercial purposes in accordance with this disclaimer andsolely for non-commercial purposes in accordance with this disclaimer and
user agreement, the database materials may be reproduced for educationaluser agreement, the database materials may be reproduced for educational
and legal advocacy purposesand legal advocacy purposes
No Implied Endorsement: the designations and search criteria used in theNo Implied Endorsement: the designations and search criteria used in the
global database do not imply the expression of any opinion on the part ofglobal database do not imply the expression of any opinion on the part of
the material or information in the global database does not necessarilythe material or information in the global database does not necessarily
represent the official views or position.represent the official views or position.

7. Situations that is Tantamount to aSituations that is Tantamount to a
Breach of Copyright LawBreach of Copyright Law
 A breach of a copyright act means a violation ofA breach of a copyright act means a violation of
owner’s right to prevent or control illegal copyingowner’s right to prevent or control illegal copying
and exploitation of their works by others.and exploitation of their works by others.
 Copyright infringement is a crime punishable by law;Copyright infringement is a crime punishable by law;
acts of deliberate breach can lead to hefty fines or jailacts of deliberate breach can lead to hefty fines or jail
sentences depending on the jurisdiction.sentences depending on the jurisdiction.
 Tantamount to theft and liable to be punished in lawTantamount to theft and liable to be punished in law
with fines.with fines.

8. Various e-resources that is Available forVarious e-resources that is Available for
Teaching and LearningTeaching and Learning
 E-resources have come to play a central role inE-resources have come to play a central role in
education particularly in teaching and learning. Even aseducation particularly in teaching and learning. Even as
students and educationist, we have in one way or thestudents and educationist, we have in one way or the
other used the e-resources to get our assignments done.other used the e-resources to get our assignments done.
Many of us will have considerable experience with theMany of us will have considerable experience with the
internet and will in one way or the other make use ofinternet and will in one way or the other make use of
the internet for many of our academic work.the internet for many of our academic work.
 E-resources are any form of information source thatE-resources are any form of information source that
the library provides access to in an electronic format.the library provides access to in an electronic format.
Electronic resources are the electronic presentation ofElectronic resources are the electronic presentation of
information.information.

9. They are available in various forms forThey are available in various forms for
teaching and learning which include;teaching and learning which include;
 E-journals: can be produced in different format such as a cd-rom, which was the first step towards electronicE-journals: can be produced in different format such as a cd-rom, which was the first step towards electronic
publishing.publishing.
 E-data archives: is an online data archiving solution designed to store documents easy and efficient, all within aE-data archives: is an online data archiving solution designed to store documents easy and efficient, all within a
secure environment. It can be used to store and digitalize newspapers archives, company’s legal documents,secure environment. It can be used to store and digitalize newspapers archives, company’s legal documents,
universities record and many more. E-archive is accessed through the internet, but managed through a series ofuniversities record and many more. E-archive is accessed through the internet, but managed through a series of
authorizations allowing the right person to get to the original electronic document faster and easily.authorizations allowing the right person to get to the original electronic document faster and easily.
 E-manuscript: services (E-manuscript: services (www.emanuscript.inwww.emanuscript.in) publishes and assists many offline journals and transforms into) publishes and assists many offline journals and transforms into
full pledge online journals of world class. It is committed to meeting the needs of academic and professionalfull pledge online journals of world class. It is committed to meeting the needs of academic and professional
communities and to working to define and meet the information need for journal publishing in a full servicecommunities and to working to define and meet the information need for journal publishing in a full service
outsourcing publishing vendor including software development, data conversion, XML solutions, copy editing,outsourcing publishing vendor including software development, data conversion, XML solutions, copy editing,
typesetting, graphic production and complex e-deliverable.typesetting, graphic production and complex e-deliverable.
 E-research: Refers to the use of information technology to support existing and new forms of research. Is alsoE-research: Refers to the use of information technology to support existing and new forms of research. Is also
the application of advanced information communication technologies (ICT) to the practices of research. Itthe application of advanced information communication technologies (ICT) to the practices of research. It
enhances existing research processes making them more efficient and effective and it enables new kinds ofenhances existing research processes making them more efficient and effective and it enables new kinds of
research processes.research processes.
 E-bibliographic database:It contains bibliographic records with analytical content. A bibliographic database is aE-bibliographic database:It contains bibliographic records with analytical content. A bibliographic database is a
repository of bibliographic or publication records. It provides an index of journal articles from multiplerepository of bibliographic or publication records. It provides an index of journal articles from multiple
journals, and includes citations, abstracts and often a link the full text.journals, and includes citations, abstracts and often a link the full text.
 E-www: (world wide web): A system of internet services that support specially formatted documents. TheE-www: (world wide web): A system of internet services that support specially formatted documents. The
documents are formatted in a markup language called HTML (Hypertext mark language) that supports links todocuments are formatted in a markup language called HTML (Hypertext mark language) that supports links to
other documents as well as graphics, audio and files.other documents as well as graphics, audio and files.

10. E-maps: Is an electronic map for new internet travellers in the same way that oil company road mapE-maps: Is an electronic map for new internet travellers in the same way that oil company road map
in the 1920 and 1930 was a highway map for new auto travelers. The goal of E-map is to provide ain the 1920 and 1930 was a highway map for new auto travelers. The goal of E-map is to provide a
starting point for entry into places of enlightment, entertainment and education on the internet. It alsostarting point for entry into places of enlightment, entertainment and education on the internet. It also
identifies high quality, broad interest world-wide web sites that can teach, illuminate and inspire. Inidentifies high quality, broad interest world-wide web sites that can teach, illuminate and inspire. In
essence E-map is meant to serve as a pico portal for users interested in quality internet resources.essence E-map is meant to serve as a pico portal for users interested in quality internet resources.
E-books: is an electronic version of a traditional print book that can be read by using a personalE-books: is an electronic version of a traditional print book that can be read by using a personal
computer or by using an e-book reader (an e-book reader can be described as a software application forcomputer or by using an e-book reader (an e-book reader can be described as a software application for
use on computer, such as Microsoft free reader application, or a book sized computer that is used solelyuse on computer, such as Microsoft free reader application, or a book sized computer that is used solely
as a reading device). Users can purchase e-book on diskette or cd, but most popular method of gettingas a reading device). Users can purchase e-book on diskette or cd, but most popular method of getting
an e-book is to purchase a downloadable file of the e-book or any other reading material from aan e-book is to purchase a downloadable file of the e-book or any other reading material from a
website. An e-book can be downloaded in five minutes or less. Although it is not necessary to use awebsite. An e-book can be downloaded in five minutes or less. Although it is not necessary to use a
reader application or device in other to read an e-book, most books can be read as PDF files.reader application or device in other to read an e-book, most books can be read as PDF files.
E-magazines: (e zine or e-zine, E-zine) is a new kind of website that contained a stylized mixture ofE-magazines: (e zine or e-zine, E-zine) is a new kind of website that contained a stylized mixture of
content (articles, pictures, poetry, fiction and comment) conveyed in a way that exploited and celebratedcontent (articles, pictures, poetry, fiction and comment) conveyed in a way that exploited and celebrated
the web as a new information medium.the web as a new information medium.
E-thesis:Electronic thesis and dissertation (ETDs) are thesis or dissertations prepared as text-basedE-thesis:Electronic thesis and dissertation (ETDs) are thesis or dissertations prepared as text-based
PDF files. ETDs contain non-text elements such as multimedia, sound, video and type text links.PDF files. ETDs contain non-text elements such as multimedia, sound, video and type text links.
E-mail: A system of internet services that support specially formatted documents. The documents areE-mail: A system of internet services that support specially formatted documents. The documents are
formatted in a markup language called HTML (Hypertext mark language) that supports links to otherformatted in a markup language called HTML (Hypertext mark language) that supports links to other
documents as well as graphics, audio and files.documents as well as graphics, audio and files.

11. CC
COPYRIGHT SYMBOL

12. Plagiarism and how it should be avoidedPlagiarism and how it should be avoided
when using e-resourceswhen using e-resources
 According to instructional settings, plagiarism is a multifaceted and ethicallyAccording to instructional settings, plagiarism is a multifaceted and ethically
complex problem. However, if any definition of plagiarism is to be helpful tocomplex problem. However, if any definition of plagiarism is to be helpful to
administrators, faculties and students, it needs to be simple and direct asadministrators, faculties and students, it needs to be simple and direct as
possible within the context for which it is intended.possible within the context for which it is intended.
 Plagiarism is a form of academic misconduct. It involves both appropriatingPlagiarism is a form of academic misconduct. It involves both appropriating
someone else’s work and passing it off as ones own work afterwards.someone else’s work and passing it off as ones own work afterwards.
Irrespective of whether plagiarism occur with or without the intent of theIrrespective of whether plagiarism occur with or without the intent of the
plagiarize, it remain plagiarism.plagiarize, it remain plagiarism.
 Plagiarism is the presentation of someone else’s work, words, images, ideas,Plagiarism is the presentation of someone else’s work, words, images, ideas,
opinions, discoveries, art, music, recordings or computer generated workopinions, discoveries, art, music, recordings or computer generated work
(circuitry, computer programs or software, website, or any electronic(circuitry, computer programs or software, website, or any electronic
resources) whether published or not, as one’s own work, or alternativelyresources) whether published or not, as one’s own work, or alternatively
appropriating the work of others, without properly acknowledging the sourceappropriating the work of others, without properly acknowledging the source
permission.permission.

13. In avoiding plagiarism when using e-resources someIn avoiding plagiarism when using e-resources some
certain steps can be followed, some of which are;certain steps can be followed, some of which are;
1.1. Assembling and analyzing a set of sources that have beenAssembling and analyzing a set of sources that have been
determined that are relevant to the issues to be investigateddetermined that are relevant to the issues to be investigated
2.2. Acknowledging clearly when and how to draw the ideas orAcknowledging clearly when and how to draw the ideas or
phrasings of othersphrasings of others
3.3. Learning the conventions for citing documents andLearning the conventions for citing documents and
acknowledging sources appropriate to the field of the studyingacknowledging sources appropriate to the field of the studying
4.4. Consulting instructors when unsure about how toConsulting instructors when unsure about how to
acknowledge the contributions of others to their thought andacknowledge the contributions of others to their thought and
writingwriting
5.5. Avoid the use of recycled or formulaic assignment that mayAvoid the use of recycled or formulaic assignment that may
invite stock or plagiarized response.invite stock or plagiarized response.