A Simple Guide to Copyright For Librarians: 15 Essential Facts and Tips
Consider our simple guide to copyright as the start of your copyright education journey.
Add other essential information to it as you learn more about copyright law and licensing digital content.
The downloadable version of this Guide (see below) includes four practical tips for managing copyright issues in your library during COVID-19.
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Are libraries responsible for copyright law?
Libraries and their parent institutions have a responsibility to promote and maintain policies and procedures that are consistent with their ethical obligations, their institutional missions, and the law, including:
copyright law. ,
Copyright Education For Librarians
Understanding domestic and international copyright law principles helps librarians ensure copyright compliance within their organization and lower copyright infringement risks.
Even in organizations with designated copyright librarians or specialists, all librarians and information professionals need at least a basic understanding of copyright law .
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Lawyer Or Librarian: Who’Ll Answer Your Copyright Question?
In many for- and nonprofit organizations, librarians or information professionals manage copyright issues, answer copyright questions, and educate others about copyright law and digital licensing issues.
Should a lawyer or librarian answer copyright questions in your organization.
The answer depends on the particulars of the issue being raised and .
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Quick Navigation to A Simple Guide to Copyright For Librarians
Lawyer or Librarian: Who'll Answer Your Copyright Question?
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Should copyright law balance the public and economic interests?
In pursuit of this goal, copyright law should balance the public’s need to access and use informative and creative works with the economic interests of right’s holders.
Libraries represent the very best of this balance in U.S. copyright law.
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What is copyright law?
Unfortunately copyright law isn’t straightforward.
There’s no copyright rule book for librarians and information professionals.
Rather, copyright acts around the world are interpretative.
Librarians must apply their particular facts to the law to determine when and whether permission is needed to use copyright materials.
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Where can I learn more about copyright?
If you’re based in Canada, visit the Centre for Canadian Copyright Law.
For other countries, see Introduction to International Copyright Law.
Consider our simple guide to copyright as the start of your copyright education journey.
Add other essential information to it as you learn more about copyright law and licensing digital content.
