Content and Permissions

The reproduction of copyrighted material without the prior permission of the copyright owner, particularly in an educational setting, raises concerns within the academic community. Unfortunately, the impropriety of much unauthorized copying often goes unnoticed in educational environments.

While copying all or part of a work without obtaining permission may seem like a quick and convenient solution, such unauthorized copying can frequently infringe upon the rights of the author or publisher of the copyrighted work. Moreover, it goes against the academic mission to instill respect for ideas and the intellectual property expressing those ideas.

A lack of understanding of copyright law, including the doctrine of “fair use” and its application and limitations in educational settings, puts faculty members, copy centers, college stores, universities, and colleges at risk of engaging in illegal copying. It is crucial for all involved parties to be well-versed in copyright regulations to ensure ethical and legal practices in the educational realm.