(Finding & Reusing/Remixing Legally while Understanding Copyright, Fair Use & The Creative Commons)
Consider this...
Would you go into a store, find something you like and walk away with it? Probably not--because it doesn't belong to you. When you go to google to find a picture, how do you ask the creator permission to use his or her work? How do you give them credit? How would you feel if someone took something you made and put into their assignment without asking or giving you credit?
Images, audio, video, and writing are protected under copyright law. So copying an image from the internet without asking permission is against the law--just like stealing something from a store. There are ways to legally find images and audio. If you want to learn more about the law, check out information below.
What is Copyright?
Copyright is the legal protection given to authors/creators by the government. It means that original works (including written works, music, images, and videos) cannot be copied, distributed, performed, displayed or modified without the the creators permission.
What is the Public Domain?
The Public Domainis where works go when they are no longer covered by copyright. Generally, this includes things that are very old (think before 1923). Figuring out which old things are in the public domain is complicated--ask a librarian for help if you have a question on this. If you're interested in learning more, check out this resource on the Public Domain from Cornell University's Copyright Information Office.
What is Fair Use?
Fair Use is a series of provisions that allow a small part or significantly modified version of a copyrighted to be legally used, under certain circumstances. This is a gray area and a changing legal landscape. It's also complicated, so whenever possible it is easier to use works in the creative commons or public domain.
The Creative Commons is a nonprofit organization that promotes creative reuse by allowing creators to KEEP some copyright rights and GIVE AWAY other copyright protections.
What does this mean for students looking for use other's images in their class projects? It means you can go to the Creative Commons to find works that you can use or adapt without prior permission from the copyright holder.
What is Copyright?
What is the Public Domain? 