Students Copying-www.umaine.edu/.../students%20at%20computer2.JPG
|
Plagarism and Copyright |
Links: |
 |
What is Copyright? Copyright is a form of protection given to the authors or creators of “original works of authorship,” including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic and other intellectual works. What that means is that, as the author of the work, you alone have the right to do any of the following or to let others do any of the following: Make and distribute copies of your work. Perform and display your work publicly. Why should I care about copyright? Copyright law gives you a set of rights that prevents other people from copying your work and doing other things with your work that you may not like. Which works are protected? 1. literary works (which includes computer software) 2. musical works, including any accompanying words 3. dramatic works, including any accompanying music 4. pantomimes and choreographic works 5. pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works 6. motion pictures and other audiovisual works 7. sound recordings; and architectural works. Which works are not protected? A. Ideas, procedures, methods, systems, processes, concepts, principles, discoveries, or devices, (but written or recorded descriptions, explanations, or illustrations of such things are protected copyright) B. Titles, names, short phrases, and slogans; mere listings of ingredients or contents (but some titles and words might be protected under trademark law if their use is associated with a particular product or service) C. Works that are not fixed in a tangible form of expression, such as an improvised speech or performance that is not written down or otherwise recorded; D. Works consisting entirely of information that is commonly available and contains no originality (for example, standard calendars, standard measures and rulers, lists or tables compiled from public documents or other common sources) Works by the US government. What is copyright infringement? Anyone who exploits any of the exclusive rights of copyright without the copyright owner's permission commits copyright infringement. If a lawsuit is brought in a court, the infringer will have to pay the copyright owner the amount of money the infringer made from using the work or that the owner would have made if the infringement had not happened. When do I need permission to copy? Unless you are absolutely sure, relying on the doctrine of "Fair Use" to avoid seeking Permission to copy a work is risky. |