Copyright Policy
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all members of the college community adhere to the copyright laws of the United States.
This policy applies to all Bucks County Community College faculty, staff, administration, and students.
Policy Statement
All Bucks Community College faculty, staff, and students are expected to act as responsible users of copyrighted works, which includes making informed decisions based on the fair use exemptions to the copyright laws. It is the responsibility of every member of the College to follow the copyright laws set forth by Congress in the Copyright Act of 1976, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and the Technology Education and Copyright Harmonization Act (TEACH Act).
To that end, this website was developed to help you to gain information about copyright questions and where to go for further assistance in answering these questions. Remember to check back frequently for additions and updates to this site. For more information and helpful resources please visit our Copyright LibGuide.
Copyright
Adapted from Copyright Basics 1
Copyright is a form of protection provided by the laws of the United States (title 17, U.S. Code) to the authors/creators of "original works of authorship," including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works. Copyright law further allows the owner of copyright the exclusive right to do and to authorize others to reproduce, prepare derivative works, distribute, perform, or display works. It is illegal for anyone to violate any of the rights provided by the copyright law to the owner of copyright.
Copyright Liaison
The College establishes a Copyright Liaison to assist with questions and resources regarding copyrighted materials.
Questions and comments should be submitted to the Copyright Liaison, Monica Kuna (x8003 monica.kuna@bucks.edu).
Fair Use of Copyright Materials
Fair Use Criteria
Fair Use applies to some educational uses of copyrighted materials in the classroom. Simply citing a work that you copy, distribute, perform, or display does not mean that it is a fair use exemption.
There are four criteria, all of which must be considered, in determining fair use:
- the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;
- the nature of the copyrighted work;
- amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and
- the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.
There are no definitive rules on the application of these criteria, it is subjective and open to interpretation. Therefore, one must go through the criteria as they relate to his/her use of copyrighted materials and make an appropriate determination based on these criteria. For more information and helpful resources please visit our Copyright LibGuide.
Fair Use Liaison
The Fair Use Liaison, Jackie Burger (x8056 jacqueline.burger@bucks.edu) is also available to assist you with specific questions and to provide you additional information and explanation on this topic.
Permission to Use Copyright Material
For uses of copyrighted materials outside the scope of fair use, usage permission can be sought from the copyright holder. Assistance is provided in obtaining usage permission through the Copyright Liaison.
Commitment to Copyright and Fair Use Educational Outreach
The College establishes a copyright website with helpful links to provide timely information on copyright and fair use.
The College, through the Copyright Liaison and the Library, makes available up to date publications and resources provided by government, education and professional associations regarding copyright, fair use, and related topics.
The Copyright Liaison provides instruction in order to educate the college community on their rights and responsibilities under current copyright law.
1 Copyright Basics. United States Copyright Office. http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ01.pdf accessed April 13, 2012.
2 Fair Use. United States Copyright Office. http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html accessed April 13, 2012.