Fair Use (codified in 1976): For certain things, it is "fair" for others besides the copyright holder to use materials.

Copyright's Purpose: To improve society through advancement of knowledge

Copyright law balances the rights of copyright owners with the rights of the public for access to and use of works. It provides:

  • Incentive to authors
  • Limits on authors' rights to control and exploit works
  • Balance achieves copyright's constitutional purpose

Useful Links for Information on Fair Use and Copyright Law for the Web

Copyright Law in Cyberspace by Georgia Harper, University of Texas
The Copyright Crash Course, University of Texas
Online Tutorial about Copyright Issues on the Web

4 Factors for Fair Use:

  1. Purpose - (what is it being used for? Educational use is fair)
  2. Nature - (of the work itself - for example, fiction is more protected than nonfiction)
  3. Amount - (percentage you are copying - rule of thumb - 10% seems to be max. allowable)
  4. Affect - (how does your use of the material affect its market)
For Classroom Use of Materials
(this would include use of copyrighted materials on the web for course web pages)
  1. Access: should be limited to class; should be up for a short duration (use of password can limit websites to use by class, keep posted no longer than a semester)
  2. Quantity: percentage of work being used (again, 10% seems to be max. allowable)
  3. Spontaneity of Use: ex. you see something you want to use in class, and don't have time to get permission from author. If you continue to use it semester after semester, spontaneity of use no longer applies!
All have to be satisfied!

All use of copyrighted materials should indicate source and its copyright.

Materials not protected by copyright:

  • "Old" material (now life of author plus 75 years)
  • U.S. Government Publications
Printing Service, NIU Library and Bookstore can get permission for use of copyrighted material, or answer questions.

Please see Barb Ball to password-protect your course notes websites if they include use of copyrighted materials.

Questions? contact Barb Ball at bball@niu.edu