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Copyright and Fair Use: Copyright Law

Overview of Copyright Information

Copyright Law Defined

Copyright law, as defined in Title 17 of the United States Code, protects "original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression" for a limited period.  Copyright applies both to traditional media (books, records, etc.) and to digital media (electronic journals, web sites, etc.). 

Copyright protects the following categories of works:

  1. Literary works (including computer software)
  2. Musical works
  3. Dramatic works
  4. Pantomimes and choreographic works
  5. Pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works
  6. Motion pictures and other audiovisual works
  7. Sound recordings
  8. Architectural works
  9. Computer software

Ownership of a copyrighted work includes the right to control the use of that work. Use of such work by others during the term of the copyright requires either permission from the author or reliance on the doctrine of fair use. Failure to do one or the other will expose the user to a claim of copyright infringement for which the law provides remedies including payment of money damages to the copyright owner.

Welcome

The purpose of this guide is to provide faculty, staff, and students at Union College with resources on copyright law, fair use, and plagiarism. 

The guide does not supply legal advice nor is it intended to replace the advice of legal counsel.

The U.S. Copyright law can be found in Title 17 of the U.S. Code.

Copyright symbol,icon,sign,against,recording - free image from needpix.com

 

What is Copyright

"Copyright is a type of intellectual property that protects original works of authorship as soon as an author fixes the work in a tangible form of expression. In copyright law, there are a lot of different types of works..." (From https://www.copyright.gov/what-is-copyright/)

Subject Guide

UCNJ LibGuides at Union College