1. Plagiarism, Fair Use, and Copyright Laws
For information producers such as authors, artists, and Website developers

2. The Difference Between Plagiarism and Copyright Violation
Plagiarism and copyright violation are similar
Both mean using or copying material without permission
Copyright violation is using someone else’s work without permission
Plagiarism means using someone else’s work and portraying it as your own
Copyrighted material is protected by law

3. Just Because Material Is on the Internet, Doesn’t Mean It’s Free
Original material is protected by copyright as soon as it’s created
Material posted or displayed on the Internet is still protected by copyright—even though you can download it
Even if you pay for downloaded material—music, videos, games, books—the copyright owner is still protected

4. Fair Use of Material
Copyright laws provide for fair use of limited amounts of content
How much can you use?
Film, video, TV – Up to 10% or 3 minutes (whichever is less)
Text – Up to 10% or 1,000 words (whichever is less)
Music, lyrics, music video – Up to 10% or 3 minutes (whichever is less)
Computer databases or spreadsheets – Up to 10% or 2,500 cells (whichever is less)

5. What You Don’t Need to Cite
Results of your own experiments
Your own thoughts, insights, observations, experiences, or conclusions
Common Knowledge

6. What Can Be Classified as Common Knowledge
Information easily found in general reference sources
Information you can find in at least five other places
Information in the public domain, such as folklore and government documents
Information your readers should already know