PIO Resource Manual: Copyright Guidelines
Community and technical colleges are required to follow federal copyright laws.
State-level or special copyright policies are not required, nor have they been developed. By its nature, federal law supersedes any rules colleges might write.
Building Your Copyright Guidelines
At most colleges, library faculty oversee copyright compliance issues, particularly as it relates to instruction.
Colleges pick and choose from the federal copyright laws and then “repackage” specific items that are most applicable to their campus purposes — textbooks, fair use, digital media, copy center, students, etc. — to post at their website.
Resources for copyright and fair use guidelines
- United States Copyright Office
- What Is and Isn’t Protected by Copyright – simple guide with a quick overview of what types of material are and are not protected by copyright.
- Copyright on Campus – a short video about copyright law and its impact on an academic institution’s use of intellectual property.
