Skip to Main Content

Copyright Center: Home

The Copyright Center is a centralized place for U.S.-based copyright-related information for teaching, research, and publication.

The information contained in this guide should not be considered legal advice or counsel.

Key Points

  • Copyright protection is automatic once a work is in a tangible form.
  • Copyright holders have the rights to 1) reproduce, 2) distribute, 3) make derivative works of, 4) publicly display, and 5) publicly perform their works.
  • There are specific exceptions within copyright law that allow use without permissions.
  • Fair use is the most commonly used exception in educational settings.
  • The TEACH Act was designed for online classes only; fair use may also be used in these settings.
  • If a use does not qualify for an exception, permission must be obtained for the use.

Use the tabs to the left to find detailed information about each topic.