Copyright, Fair Use & File Sharing: Alvernia
University Policy

What is the purpose of the Copyright Policy?

The purpose of this policy is to assist members of the Alvernia Community in meeting research and teaching needs in accordance with a good-faith understanding of the principles of copyright and fair use.

Copyright & Fair Use

• What is Copyright?
• How do I know if a work is protected by copyright?
• What is Fair Use?
• Don’t all college activities fall under fair use?
• Who is responsible for making decisions on copyright and fair use?
• How do I know if my purposes constitute fair use?

Guidelines For Fair Use - Classroom/Research

• May I make a single copy for classroom use or research?
• May I make multiple copies for classroom use?
• What if classroom copying falls outside of fair use?
• May I show a rented, borrowed, or purchased copy of a video in class?
• May I record something from television and show it in class?
• May faculty or students incorporate copyrighted works into multimedia presentations?
• May I incorporate materials found on the Internet into research or classroom use?
• May I use copies of sound recordings or sheet music in the classroom?

Guidelines For Fair Use - Library - Reserves/including BlackBoard

• What items may be placed on reserve in the library?
• May items be placed on reserve electronically (BlackBoard)?
• May I copy or link to online databases and electronic journals?
• How many times may I place an item on reserve?
• Who determines if a reserve reading is within fair use?
• What if a reserve items falls outside of fair use?

Guidelines For Fair Use - Library - Copying

• May the library make copies of copyrighted material for patrons for research purposes?
• May the library make copies for preservation purposes?
• Is the library responsible for copyright infringements on unsupervised copy machines or other reproducing equipment?

Guidelines For Fair Use - Library - Interlibrary Loan

• May the library make copies to send elsewhere for interlibrary loan?

Guidelines For Fair Use - Computer Software

• Is computer software subject to fair use exemptions?
• May I make copies of software that I personally own?
• May I make copies of software that is owned by the college?

Guidelines For Fair Use - Computer/Internet Use

• May I download music or share files?

Guidelines For Fair Use - Performance Rights for Copyrighted Video recordings

• May I show a video that I have purchased or rented?
• How do I get public performance rights for a video?

Guidelines For Fair Use - Performance Rights to Produce a Play or Musical

• How do I get performance rights for a play or musical?

Guidelines For Fair Use - Obtaining Rights to Use Music in a Live Performance

• How do I obtain rights to use a specific artist’s version of a song?
• How do I obtain rights to have someone play or sing a song live?