Copyright and you

Conclusion The current Copyright Law provides educators with a very limited set of privileges related to distance learning, based upon technologies and assumptions concerning the activities of education dating around the period of the early 1970s, prior to the adoption of the law in 1976. Within the confines of Section 110(2) of the law, and using Fair Use Guidelines, there are some limited activities that may take place in distance learning, using copyrighted materials without the author’s permission. However, until the law is modified or the recommendations of the Copyright Office are implemented, the “safe harbor” approach would be to seek copyright permission or obtain licensing for the use of copyrighted materials prior to use in a distance learning environment. Since 1975, as an avocation, he has been a national copyright law consultant. He has published several reference works for libraries and educators on copyright law, as well as videotapes to be used for information and training.