EdTec448 - Policy Brief: Copyright

Policy Brief:

Copyright

Definitions:

Copyright - "Copyright is a form of protection grounded in the U.S. Constitution and granted by law for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. Copyright covers both published and unpublished works." (http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-general.html#what)


Issue Overview:

Copyright law has become increasing complex with the popularity of the Internet. Many students and teachers use the Internet and other digital resources on a regular basis. Therefore, it is important for faculty, staff, and students within our school district to be familiar with copyright laws, and fair use as well as the rights that protect their own intellectual property. The current Copyright Policy of the FASD is a strong one. However, the policy is slightly out-dated in that it does not address modern copyright issues as they pertain to the Internet digital resources, and electronic media. The largest problem we are facing is that faculty and staff members are simply not familiar with the policy.

Recommendations:

1. Implement an ongoing faculty/staff training program. This program could be implemented by simply discussing copyright laws during a faculty meeting or sending an e-mail about Fair use.

Pros:

• Faculty and staff will be better informed about copyright law.


• Students will better better informed about copyright law if their teachers are knowledgeable about the subject.


• Copyright infringements will decrease.

Cons:

• Increasing faculty and staff awareness of copyright will require time.

2. Update the current policy to include digital copyright. This would probably be most efficiently done in the introductory paragraph of the FASD copyright policy which now specifies only "audio, visual, software or printed materials." It would also be appropriate to add a new section about Fair Use of digital resources.

Pros:

• The policy will be comprehensive and up-to-date.


• Appropriate use of digital resources will be clearly defined.

Cons:

• Updating the policy will require time and money for research and writing.

3. Increase accessibility to the written policy. This can be done easily by either publishing the policy online or placing a printed copy in each library.

Pros:

• Faculty and staff will be able to access the policy easily.


• Increased accessibility to the policy will help faculty and staff become more familiar with the policy.

Cons:

• Posting the policy online will require time and money as no electronic copy of the policy can be located.

Resources:

Copyright and Fair Use in the Classroom, on the Internet, and the World Wide Web. Retrieved July 9, 2008 from University of Maryland University College.
website:http://www.umuc.edu/library/copy.shtml

Copyright FAQ. Retrieved July 9, 2008 from US Copyright Office.
website: http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/

Harper, Georgia. Copyright Issues: Multimedia and Internet Resources. Retrieved July 10, 2008 from University of Texas System.
website: http://www.utsystem.edu/OGC/IntellectualProperty/mmfruse.htm

Protecting Copyright and Internet Values. Retrieved July 10, 2008 from Center for Democracy and Technology.
website: http://www.cdt.org/copyright/20050607framing.pdf