James Madison University Libraries & Educational Technologies http://www.lib.jmu.edu

MEDIA RESOURCES COPYRIGHT GUIDANCE

 
There are many sources of copyright information--and they are growing. Below are a few of the interesting and useful sites that cover different aspects of the copyright law and its applications. Most contain links to many others.

• Bitlaw: a resource on technology law
  The most current searchable text of current copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code).
   
• Bound By Law
  The concept of "fair use" in copyright law explained in an entertaining comic book form. Using documentary filmmaking as an example, it is meant to serve as a high quality resource for classes from high school to graduate school, from film school to social studies, as well as for the general public.
  
  
• Fair Use Analysis Tool (University of Minnesota)
  Offers a form to conduct a thorough four factor review of your proposed use.
  
  
• Using the FourFactor Fair Use Test
  Describes rules of thumb for determining a "safe harbor" within the bounds of fair use.
  
  
• US Copyright Office
  The law and related laws contained in Title 17 of the US Code, search copyright records, learn how to register a work, current fees, publications, forms, liscensing and news.
   
• Copyright Guidelines for Off-Air Recording
  
Reprinted from Library of Congress Copyright Office's Circular 21 "Reproduction of Copyrighted Works by Educators and Librarians", Sec. F, p.22.
 
• Copyright (Title17, U.S. Code)
  The complete law, with full-text search capability.
    
• Copyright & Fair Use
  A comprehensive, full-text searchable website offering copyright law overview and primary materials, current legislation, cases and issues, and other Internet resources.
   
• Copyright Clearance Center OnLine
  A nonprofit organization providing copyright licensing services to academic and other organizations and even individual users.
   
• Copyright Term and the Public Domain in the United States
    An easy-to-read chart of current periods for which copyrighted materials are protected, both U.S. and international."
    
• Copyright Website
  "...endeavors to provide real world, practical and relevant copyright information of interest to infonauts, net surfers, web spinners, content providers, musicians, appropriationists, activists, infringers, outlaws, and law abiding citizens."
  
  
• "Intellectual Property Law Primer for Multimedia Developers" (1996)
  An online article by J. Dianne Brinson and Mark F. Radcliffe offering general guidance to multimedia developers who want to incorporate existing copyrighted materials and/or protect their own original creations.
   
• U.S. Copyright Office
  Provides information on all copyright-related services offered by this office.
   
• WWW Multimedia Law
  Offers current developments, cases, statistics, service organizations, etc. related to multimedia law.