For guidance or questions, please contact the Copyright Compliance Officer, Colleen McKnight, Director of Library Services.
This guide is to provide information regarding copyright for Frederick Community College, and should not be considered legal advice. The user of this information retains legal responsibility for all decisions on copyright matters.
Links to resources on other websites are for convenience and are not endorsements. FCC is not responsible for information provided on other websites.
Copyright grants the owners of a work the sole right to choose how others may use that work and to earn revenues from it. Copyright can be a complex web of permissions and exemptions, but the basics you need to know are:
You always need permission to use copyrighted works unless at least one of the following exemptions applies:
1. The work is in the public domain, usually works published before 1923 or by the U.S. Government
2. The use meets the criteria outlined under the Fair Use section
3. The use meets the criteria outlined in the Classroom Use section
4. The use meets the criteria for online courses outlined under the TEACH Act
5. The use is permitted under licensing agreements like Creative Commons
If in doubt ask permission!
Frederick Community College prohibits discrimination against any person on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, creed, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, genetic information, marital status, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religious affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status in its activities, admissions, educational programs, and employment.