Cunningham Memorial Library: Copyright: Why Copyright?

Copyright at ISU

Student Misconduct and Copyright
2.1.8 Misuse of Intellectual Property Misuse of intellectual property is the improper use of copyright materials, trademarks, trade secrets, or intellectual property (e.g. thoughts, ideas or works of another).
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2.1.9 Violation of Ethical and Professional Standards
Students shall adhere to the standards, guidelines, and/or codes associated with the ethics and conduct established for academic programs and courses.* This policy applies to all student experiences involving academic credit (e.g., on-campus and distance education courses, internships, practicum, and thesis/dissertation) and is one of the regulations for student ethical behavior referenced in the Indiana State University Code of Student Conduct.
Intellectual Property Policy
This intellectual property policy defines the framework for the rights and responsibilities of artists, authors, inventors, researchers and the University.

Copyright Educational Resources

The International Copyright Framework
This section of Copyright for Librarians gives an overview of international copyright .
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Copyright for Librarians is a joint project of the Berkman Center for Internet & Society and Electronic Information for Libraries (EIFL)
Copyright Term and the Public Domain in the United States
From Cornell Copyright Center, an extensive chart on copyright duration and public domain identification.

What is Copyright and Why is it Important?

What is Copyright?

Copyright is a protection of original works "fixed in any tangible medium of expression." granted upon creation. Copyright Act of 1976 § 102, 17 U.S.C. § 107 (2016)

What is Protected by Copyright?

Literary works
Musical works
Dramatic works
Pantomimes and choreographic works
Pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works
Motion pictures and other audiovisual works
Sound recordings
Architectural works

Why is it important?

Copyright applies to almost everything, that includes materials used and created in education and learning at colleges and universities. Including:

videos (streamed, dvds, downloads)
sound records (podcasts, streams, downloads)
Print materials (texts, study guides, syllabi, class notes, articles, images, etc.)
digital materials (course packs, syllabi, question banks, labs, lecture slides & notes, eBooks, articles, images, etc.)

How Long Does it Last?

Post January 1, 1978, from the moment of its creation and gives it a term lasting for the author’s life plus an additional 70 years.
For Corporate works created post 1978: 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation, whichever expires first

Unpublished Works

Unpublished works Life of the author + 70 years
Unpublished anonymous and pseudonymous works and corporate works 120 yrs from creation

Collections Strategy & Copyright Librarian

Melissa Gustafson

She/ her

Email Me

Contact:

(812) 237-2057

Subjects: Copyright, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Earth & Environmental Science, Open Educational Resources

Information Notice

The information presented here is intended for informational purposes and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have specific legal questions pertaining to Indiana State University, please contact the Office of the General Counsel.