We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Kevin Smith, M.L.S., J.D.,
Lisa A. Macklin, J.D.,M.L.S.,
and
Anne Gilliland, JD, MLS
Fear and uncertainty about copyright law often plagues educators and sometimes prevents creative teaching. This course is a professional development opportunity designed to provide a basic introduction to US copyright law and to empower teachers and librarians at all grade levels. Course participants will discover that the law is designed to help educators and librarians.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/6p12o3/copyright
Here's a deal for you
Save money when you learn with a deal that may be relevant to this course.
All coupon codes, vouchers, and discounts are applied automatically unless otherwise noted.
Get offer
What's inside
Syllabus
Welcome to Copyright Law
Thank you for joining Copyright for Educators and Librarians! Our goal is to provide participants with a practical framework for analyzing copyright issues that they encounter in their professional work. We use a lot of real life examples—some of them quite complex and amusing—to help participants get used to the systematic analysis of copyright problems. This course is intentionally a first step toward bridging the gulf that is often perceived between desirable educational practice and legal permissible activities. We very much hope that this course will be a service to the library and education community, and that it provides a relatively fun and painless way to go deeper into copyright than the average presentation or short workshop allows. If you enjoy this course and would like to learn more about copyright in multimedia, that course will soon be available!
Read more
Syllabus
Welcome to Copyright Law
Thank you for joining Copyright for Educators and Librarians! Our goal is to provide participants with a practical framework for analyzing copyright issues that they encounter in their professional work. We use a lot of real life examples—some of them quite complex and amusing—to help participants get used to the systematic analysis of copyright problems. This course is intentionally a first step toward bridging the gulf that is often perceived between desirable educational practice and legal permissible activities. We very much hope that this course will be a service to the library and education community, and that it provides a relatively fun and painless way to go deeper into copyright than the average presentation or short workshop allows. If you enjoy this course and would like to learn more about copyright in multimedia, that course will soon be available!
Read more
Traffic lights
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Provides a framework for comprehending copyright law, particularly for an educational context
Led by instructors with expertise in copyright law and its applications in libraries and education
Practical and scenario-based approach to learning copyright law, making it applicable to real-world situations
Covers crucial exceptions and limitations for teachers and librarians under US copyright law (Section 110(1))
Discusses fair use and its significance in educational and library settings
Save this course
Create your own learning path.
Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save
Save
Reviews summary
Practical us copyright for educators
According to students, this course offers a largely positive experience for educators and librarians needing to understand US copyright law. Learners appreciate the clear explanations that make complex legal concepts accessible and the practical framework provided. The course excels in its focus on fair use and specific library/educational exceptions, with many finding the real-world examples particularly helpful. While reviewers find it a solid introduction, some note it lacks depth on more advanced or specific scenarios like digital resources or emerging technologies, suggesting it's best suited for those needing a foundational understanding rather than exhaustive knowledge.
Well-structured but could be more engaging.
"The modules were well-structured and easy to follow."
"The course structure made it easy to fit into my busy schedule."
"While the content was generally good, some sections felt a little dry. More interactive elements could improve engagement."
"Some explanations were a bit dry and hard to follow."
Primarily focused on US copyright law.
"It's definitely geared towards US law, which is what I needed, but international aspects were briefly touched upon."
"The content is focused on US law, which is fine, but be aware if you're in another country."
"understanding US copyright law relevant to education."
Uses effective and relevant examples/case studies.
"used excellent real-world examples relevant to both teachers and librarians."
"The examples were spot on."
"The case studies were particularly illuminating."
"Fair use examples were practical."
Excellent coverage of fair use and library exceptions.
"I feel much more confident in applying fair use principles now."
"The coverage of Section 110(1) and fair use was practical and demystified some common issues."
"clarified fair use and public domain concepts significantly."
"especially fair use and library exceptions, was exactly what I needed."
"Fair use and Section 110(1) were explained thoroughly with relevant examples."
Directly applicable to educational and library work.
"incredibly helpful for navigating the complexities of copyright law in an educational setting."
"particularly useful for anyone working in schools or libraries."
"This course provided a practical framework and clear answers to many of my questions."
"The focus on practical application rather than just theory."
"provides actionable guidance. The fair use section alone was worth the price of admission."
Makes complex legal topics easy to understand.
"The instructors explained difficult concepts clearly and used excellent real-world examples relevant to both teachers and librarians."
"The instructors were knowledgeable and explained things in a way that made sense."
"Instructors were engaging and concepts were explained simply."
"Very clear explanations of potentially confusing topics."
"The instructors made complex legal concepts accessible and provided clear guidance."
A good basic introduction, but lacks advanced depth.
"It did feel a bit introductory; someone needing deeply complex answers might need more."
"Okay course, but definitely basic. If you have zero background in copyright, it's a start. However, I felt it only scratched the surface."
"While it provides a good foundation, I agree with others that more advanced topics or very specific scenarios... aren't covered in depth."
"I was hoping for more in-depth coverage on digital resources and online teaching scenarios..."
Activities
Be better prepared
before
your course. Deepen your understanding
during
and
after
it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered
in Copyright for Educators & Librarians with these
activities:
Volunteer at a local library or school to assist with copyright-related tasks
Show steps
Gain practical experience in applying copyright law and contribute to the community.
Show steps
-
Contact a local library or school
-
Inquire about volunteer opportunities
-
Assist with tasks such as copyright research, compliance training, or public education
Read 'Copyright for K-12 Teachers' by Carrie Russell
Show steps
Gain a comprehensive understanding of copyright law as it applies to K-12 education, ensuring that you are using copyrighted materials appropriately.
Show steps
Complete practice questions on copyright law
Show steps
Reinforce your understanding of copyright law by completing exercises and quizzes.
Show steps
-
Find practice questions online or in textbooks
-
Answer the questions to the best of your ability
-
Review your answers and identify areas for improvement
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Follow tutorials on using Creative Commons licenses
Show steps
Gain proficiency in using Creative Commons licenses to share and reuse copyrighted materials appropriately.
Browse courses on
Creative Commons
Show steps
-
Explore the Creative Commons website
-
Choose the appropriate license for your needs
-
Apply the license to your work
Create a presentation or infographic on fair use
Show steps
Deepen your understanding of fair use by creating a resource that explains the concept and its application in educational settings.
Browse courses on
Fair Use
Show steps
-
Research fair use and its four factors
-
Gather examples of fair use in education
-
Create a presentation or infographic that clearly explains fair use
Attend a workshop on copyright law for educators
Show steps
Engage with experts and fellow educators to gain a deeper understanding of copyright law and its implications for your work.
Show steps
Develop a copyright compliance plan for your school or library
Show steps
Develop a comprehensive plan to ensure that your institution is in compliance with copyright law, protecting both the institution and its users.
Browse courses on
Copyright Law
Show steps
-
Research copyright law and best practices
-
Identify areas of risk and develop strategies to mitigate them
-
Create a written copyright policy
-
Train staff and students on copyright compliance
-
Monitor compliance and make adjustments as needed
Compile a collection of resources on copyright law for educators and librarians
Show steps
Create a valuable resource that provides easy access to essential information on copyright law for your professional community.
Show steps
-
Gather resources from reliable sources
-
Organize the resources into a logical structure
-
Create a user-friendly format for easy access
Volunteer at a local library or school to assist with copyright-related tasks
Show steps
Gain practical experience in applying copyright law and contribute to the community.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Contact a local library or school
- Inquire about volunteer opportunities
- Assist with tasks such as copyright research, compliance training, or public education
Read 'Copyright for K-12 Teachers' by Carrie Russell
Show steps
Gain a comprehensive understanding of copyright law as it applies to K-12 education, ensuring that you are using copyrighted materials appropriately.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
Complete practice questions on copyright law
Show steps
Reinforce your understanding of copyright law by completing exercises and quizzes.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find practice questions online or in textbooks
- Answer the questions to the best of your ability
- Review your answers and identify areas for improvement
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Follow tutorials on using Creative Commons licenses
Show steps
Gain proficiency in using Creative Commons licenses to share and reuse copyrighted materials appropriately.
Browse courses on
Creative Commons
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Explore the Creative Commons website
- Choose the appropriate license for your needs
- Apply the license to your work
Create a presentation or infographic on fair use
Show steps
Deepen your understanding of fair use by creating a resource that explains the concept and its application in educational settings.
Browse courses on
Fair Use
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Research fair use and its four factors
- Gather examples of fair use in education
- Create a presentation or infographic that clearly explains fair use
Attend a workshop on copyright law for educators
Show steps
Engage with experts and fellow educators to gain a deeper understanding of copyright law and its implications for your work.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
Develop a copyright compliance plan for your school or library
Show steps
Develop a comprehensive plan to ensure that your institution is in compliance with copyright law, protecting both the institution and its users.
Browse courses on
Copyright Law
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Research copyright law and best practices
- Identify areas of risk and develop strategies to mitigate them
- Create a written copyright policy
- Train staff and students on copyright compliance
- Monitor compliance and make adjustments as needed
Compile a collection of resources on copyright law for educators and librarians
Show steps
Create a valuable resource that provides easy access to essential information on copyright law for your professional community.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Gather resources from reliable sources
- Organize the resources into a logical structure
- Create a user-friendly format for easy access
Career center
Learners who complete Copyright for Educators & Librarians will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Intellectual Property Lawyer
Intellectual Property Lawyer
Intellectual property lawyers advise clients on copyright, patent, and trademark law. The course can provide you with a solid understanding of copyright law and the legal framework surrounding intellectual property.
Copyright Officer
Copyright Officer
Copyright officers advise and assist their organizations on copyright matters. The course can help you develop a strong foundation in copyright law and gain the skills necessary to succeed in this role.
Publishing Lawyer
Publishing Lawyer
Publishing lawyers provide legal services to clients in the publishing industry, including authors, publishers, and agents. The course can provide you with a solid understanding of copyright law, including the specific provisions that apply to the publishing industry.
Museum curator
Museum curator
Museum curators plan and organize museum exhibitions and programs. The course can help you develop a better understanding of copyright law and the use of copyrighted materials in museum exhibitions and programs.
Entertainment Lawyer
Entertainment Lawyer
Entertainment lawyers provide legal services to clients in the entertainment industry, including musicians, actors, and writers. As the course can provide you with a solid understanding of copyright law and the legal framework surrounding intellectual property, it may be useful in your practice.
Music Producer
Music Producer
Music producers oversee the recording and production of music. The course can help you better understand copyright law and the legal framework surrounding the music industry.
Film Producer
Film Producer
Film producers oversee the production of films. The course can help you better understand copyright law and the legal framework surrounding the film industry.
Video Game Producer
Video Game Producer
Video game producers oversee the production of video games. The course can help you better understand copyright law and the legal framework surrounding the video game industry.
Television Producer
Television Producer
Television producers oversee the production of television shows. The course can help you better understand copyright law and the legal framework surrounding the television industry.
Journalist
Journalist
Journalists write and report on news and current events. The course can help you better understand copyright law and the legal framework surrounding the media industry.
Archivist
Archivist
Archivists appraise, acquire, preserve, and provide access to historical materials, such as documents, photographs, and audiovisual materials. The course can help you better understand copyright law and the application of fair use in your work.
Content Creator
Content Creator
Content creators develop and publish content for websites, social media, and other platforms. The course can help you better understand copyright law and the best practices for using copyrighted materials in your content.
Librarian
Librarian
Librarians assist library patrons, manage the library's collection, and may also conduct research. Because the course can help you better understand copyright law and the exceptions that apply to libraries, thus enabling you to fulfill your duties, it may be useful for you.
Blogger
Blogger
Bloggers write and publish content on blogs. The course can help you better understand copyright law and the best practices for using copyrighted materials in your blog posts.
Teacher
Teacher
Teachers create lesson plans, instruct their students, and grade assignments. As the course can help you better understand copyright law and avoid copyright infringement when creating lesson plans and using multimedia, such as videos and images, in your instruction, it may be useful for you.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/6p12o3/copyright
Reading list
We've selected six books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Copyright for Educators & Librarians.
Provides a comprehensive overview of copyright law and cultural policy. It includes in-depth information on copyright law, fair use, and digital rights management.
Provides a critical history of copyright law. It provides valuable insights into the origins and evolution of copyright law.
Provides a comprehensive overview of copyright law and its impact on universities. It provides valuable insights into the challenges universities face in complying with copyright law.
Provides a comprehensive overview of copyright law and the digital divide. It provides valuable insights into the challenges faced by those who do not have access to copyrighted materials.
Provides a concise and accessible overview of copyright law for educators, librarians, and students. It includes helpful information on fair use, public domain, and copyright exceptions.
Save
Provides a comprehensive guide to copyright law for creative professionals. It includes in-depth information on copyright registration, infringement, and fair use.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/6p12o3/copyright
Share
Similar courses
Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Effort
2-3 hours/week
Via
Coursera
Institutions
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Duke University
Emory University
Instructors
Kevin Smith, M.L.S., J.D.
Lisa A. Macklin, J.D.,M.L.S.
Anne Gilliland, JD, MLS
Language
English
Transcripts
Español
Français
Português
Deutsch
Italiano
中文
العربية
한국어
日本語
हिंदी
Nederlands
Svenska
Pусский
Türkçe
Polski
Ελληνικά
українська мова
Bahasa Indonesia
ไทย
қазақша
Our mission
OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.
Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.
Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.
Affiliate disclosure
We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.
Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.
Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.
© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser