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Copyright Topic Guide: Copyright

Information about Copyright, Fair Use, Teach Act, InterLibrary Loan, and the Public Domain.

Copyright Registration

File copyright registration for your work through the Copyright Office's online system.

eCO: Electronic Copyright Office Tutorial: A guide for completing your electronic Copyright Registration.

Copyright PowerPoint Presentation

Copyright Defined: Law and Policy Information

University System of Georgia Copyright Policy

Copyright is a form of protection provided to author/s by the laws of the United States (title 17, U. S. Code). This right is subject to certain limitations found in sections 107 - 118 of the copyright law.

The copyright OWNER has the exclusive right to control:

  • Reproduction.
  • Modification.
  • Distribution (to the public by sale, transfer of ownership, rental, lease, or lending).
  • Public Display.
  • Public Performance.

Who OWNS the copyright?

  • Creator/s of original works: Lasts for the life of the author +70 years. If there is more than one author, copyright protection lasts for the life of the LAST author's death + 70 years.
  • Employers (works for hire): 95 years from publication, or 120 years from creation.
  • The Creator's assignees.

Some content permission courtesy of Gail McMillian, Director, Center for Digital Research & Scholarship Services - Virginia Tech University Library. 2013.

Law & Legislation

Copyright Protected?

This Copyright Spinner will help you better understand Section 108 of the U.S. Copyright Code.
 
(Michael Brewer for the ALA Office for Information Technology Policy).

Still Unsure??

The safest course is to always obtain permission from the copyright owner before using copyrighted material. 
 
NOTE: The Copyright Office cannot give this permission.

Disclaimer

This libguide was created to specifically address copyright law. GHC Libraries make every effort to assure the accuracy of this information but do not offer it as counsel or legal advice.

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