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Copyright resources

A resource for faculty, staff, and students about copyright and fair use.

What will I learn in this guide?

Icons illustrating copyright, fair use, creative commons, and public domain. Shared by Langwitches at https://flic.kr/p/6XFpizThis guide will help you learn about copyright, fair use, and other information-use concepts to consider before using, sharing, remixing, copying, or scanning copyrighted content. These principles apply to students and faculty.

This guide is not intended to be legally binding nor are the CCC librarians copyright lawyers. The information shared in this guide is presented to the best of our knowledge.

Why should I care about copyright?

As role models to and teachers of students, faculty members need to model good behavior regarding the ethical use of information. In addition, Clackamas Community College faculty members are required to abide by copyright law, whether sharing print or digital materials. As detailed in the Clackamas Community College Copyright Manual, faculty are prohibited from copying resources “not specifically allowed by the federal copyright law, fair use guidelines, license agreements or the copyright owner.”

What is copyright?

The United States Copyright Office defines traditional copyright as "a form of protection provided by the laws of the United States (title 17, U.S. Code) to the authors of 'original works of authorship,' including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works. This protection is available to both published and unpublished works." 1

 The goal of copyright law is to support innovation by compensating authors and publishers monetarily.  

1.  United States Copyright Office. (July 2008). Copyright basics. Retrieved 18 Oct. 2016 from http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ1.pdf

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