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Faculty Resources: Copyright Basics

Public Domain Defined

Public Domain Defined-

"A work of authorship is in the “public domain” if it is no longer under copyright protection or if it failed to meet the requirements for copyright protection. Works in the public domain may be used freely without the permission of the former copyright owner."

http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-definitions.html

Public Domain Tools

Copyright Law of the United States and Related Laws Contained in Title 17 of the United States Code, December 2022

Copyright & Fair Use Best Practices

Copyright & Fair Use Tools

  • Copyright Crash Course
    A guide to use of copyrighted materials in higher education.
  • Digital Copyright Slider
    Quickly determine if your resource is in or out of Copyright.
  • Etool Exemptions for Instructors
    Use this etool to find out if your intended use of a resource meets the educational exemptions in the Copyright law.
  • Fair Use Checklist
    A checklist developed by Louis P. Svendsen, University Counsel, Tennessee Board of Regents
  • Fair Use Evaluator
    The Fair Use Evaluator can help you better understand how to determine the "fairness" of a use under the U.S. Copyright Code, provides documentation of your evaluation, and links you to additional educational material.
     
  • Section 108 Spinner
    This simple tool will help you determine if your resource falls under section 108 for reproductions of material.
  • Teach Act Checklist
    This checklist helps you determine if your use of material follows the requirements of the Teach Act.
  • Teach Act Toolkit

NC Learning Object Repository

The North Carolina Learning Object Repository (NCLOR) is designed to save all NC educators time and money!

This centralized repository houses your learning and teaching resources with secured, 24/7 access. You can also vet your content for copyright, manage and offer materials through websites and portals, and monitor content versions.