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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if something is copyrighted?

Copyright protections are given to any original work that is “fixed in any tangible medium of expression at the work’s creation.” Facts, ideas, U.S. government works and any work published before 1923 are considered public domain.

See: Copyright Ownership

How do I know whether my use of copyrighted materials is protected under the “Fair Use” clause of the Copyright Act?

Fair use is a legal doctrine that allows the public to make limited uses of copyrighted works without permission. Fair use may not be what you expect. Therefore, do not assume that a nonprofit, educational use or giving credit for the source of the work, or that limiting access to materials to students in the class creates an inherent fair use. Fair use depends on a balancing of four factors, which may be addressed by a variety of means.

See: Fair Use - 4 Factors and Fair Use Analysis Tools

Can I repost items I find on the web without having to worry about copyright? Isn’t all of that stuff in the public domain?

Many people mistakenly assume that everything posted on the Internet is in the public domain. It is vital for you to know that current copyright law gives legal protection to nearly all text, images, audiovisual recordings, and other materials that are posted on the Internet, even if the original works do not include any statement about copyright.

See: Getting Permission from the Copyright Holder

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Copyright at Bethel University

At the essence of the Copyright Act is the fact that when you are considering the use of any original work, you need to determine whether:

the work is protected by copyright,
the work is available under a license agreement, or
whether the intended use qualifies as a copyright alternative (i.e. Public Domain or Creative Commons)
whether the intended use qualifies as a fair use, as determined using a case-by-case four-factor analysis.

If the intended use is protected by copyright and is not a fair use, then seek permission from the copyright owner.

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Text Permissions Copyright Clearance Center

Note:

Before you make a request, make sure that the item is not already owned by a Bethel Library. This will prevent the charging of unnecessary fees.

Copyright Clearance Center

The Copyright Clearance Center is a large licensing agency used by many publishers and is the best place to begin looking for permission.
Make requests online from copyright.com's website.

1. Search for and Select the Titles you wish to use.

2. Fill out course information including all highlighted fields.

3. Please enter your new departmental budget number in the Your Accounting
Reference field.

example: xxxxxx - xxxxx - xxxx - xx

To consult about the permission status of a particular item or situation contact:

Kent Gerber

Phone: (x6937)

Email: kent-gerber@bethel.edu

For Reserves:

Select a print-out of the online request at the end of the request data entry process.

Attach an online printed request to the pink reserve form. Reserves can be processed before permission is granted. However, when updated status of the request is received, written confirmation should be provided to the Circulation Desk. If the request is denied, notify Betty Bond Kranz (x8694) immediately.

Correct citation information must be marked on each copy.

Permission slips in paper copy are available at the Circulation Desk.

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Acknowledgements

Thank you to those institutions whose copyright information helped inform and in some cases provide the content for this site, in particular: Cornell University. Carleton College, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis and Grinell College, and a special thank you for the assistance of the consultant to the Claremont Colleges, Mary Minow and Allegra Gonzalez.

Please see the Additional Resources tabs for links to other copyright resources including those that helped to inform the creation of this guide.

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Librarian

Kent Gerber

Contact Info
Bethel University Library
Office: HC319
Phone: 651.638.6937
Email: kent-gerber@bethel.edu
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Copyright

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if something is copyrighted?

How do I know whether my use of copyrighted materials is protected under the “Fair Use” clause of the Copyright Act?

Can I repost items I find on the web without having to worry about copyright? Isn’t all of that stuff in the public domain?

Copyright at Bethel University

Text Permissions Copyright Clearance Center

Note:

Copyright Clearance Center

Acknowledgements

Librarian

Description

Bethel Library Guides

Library QuickLinks

University Library

Seminary Library

Databases A-Z

Copyright

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if something is copyrighted?

How do I know whether my use of copyrighted materials is protected under the “Fair Use” clause of the Copyright Act?

Can I repost items I find on the web without having to worry about copyright? Isn’t all of that stuff in the public domain?

Copyright at Bethel University

Text Permissions Copyright Clearance Center

Note:

Copyright Clearance Center

Acknowledgements

Librarian

Description

More Information