1. Copyright: Understanding the Basics for Video in Instruction
Jessica Chiddister
Multimedia and Web Design
Summer 2017

2. Copyright: The Definition
Copyright protects a creator’s right to determine how his or her work can be used and keeps works from being sold or duplicated without permission.
Any original and tangible (in written or visual) work is considered copyrighted upon creation.

3. Fair Use
The term “fair use” allows for others to use copyrighted material without permission for education, commentary, or parody. As a result, those in the educational setting have some freedom with copyrighted material as long as it is not used for instruction and not for profit.

4. Examples of Fair Use within the Classroom
Teachers are allowed flexibility within the classroom in order for educational purposes.
However, fair use does still have restrictions and limitations. As a result, teachers and students needs to be aware of the copyright restrictions, even in an educational setting

5. Fair Use for Video
Medium
Specifics
What You Can Do
Things to Remember
Video (for viewing)
Videotapes (purchased) Videotapes (rented)
DVDs
Laserdiscs
Teachers may use these resources in the classroom.
The material must be legitimately required
Material must be used in a classroom or nonprofit environment “dedicated to face-to-face instruction.”
Use should be instructional, not for entertainment or reward.
Video (for integrations into multimedia projects)
Videoclips from the internet
Quicktime movies
Multimedia encyclopedias
Students “may use portions of lawfully acquired copyright works in their academic multimedia,” defined as 10 percent or three minutes (whichever is less) of “motion media.”
• The material must be legitimately acquired (a legal copy, not bootleg or home recording).
• Copyright works included in multimedia projects must give proper attribution to copyright holder.
To view the chart in its entirety for fair use for all mediums, please visit

6. Is this copyright infringement?
Ms. Smith wants to show a scene to her class from a new historical film in theatres. While in the movie, she films the scene with her phone and uploads it to YouTube in order to show her class. She is not using the clip for any purpose other than instruction. Is she protected under fair use? Why or why not?
No, she is not protected. Since she obtained the clip illegally, she is not protected by fair use.

7. Is this copyright infringement?
Adam is a high-school student who is assigned to create a multi-media project about the constellations. In his Prezi, he includes a short clip (30 seconds) of a famous astronomer discussing the Big Dipper. He also gives credit in his Prezi as to where he retrieved his information. Is this copyright infringement?
No, this would not be considered copyright infringement. Adam inserted only 30 seconds of the clip and gave credit to the source.

8. Is this copyright infringement?
Shari wants to create a multi-media project based on Othello for her English class. In her project, she records a video of herself singing a famous hip-hop song. However, she has changed the lyrics in order to reflect the themes within the play. Is this copyright infringement?
No, this would not be considered copyright infringement because she made it her own through changing the lyrics. This would be a form of parody and would be covered under fair use.

9. Final Thoughts
Being in an educational setting does not protect one from copyright regulations. As a result, both teachers and students need to be aware of copyright laws.
All media used in a classroom must have been legally obtained.
If you are unsure about the copyright information, get permission.

10. References
Copyright and Fair Use Guidelines for Teachers (2002). Retrieved from Star, L. (2010). Copyrights and copying wrongs. Retrieved from Stime, R. (2010). Educational uses of non-coursepack materials. Retrieved from permissions/non-coursepack/