Copyright Resource Guide

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:

• Copyright applies to any fixed, permanent original work, either published or unpublished, that can be seen and/or heard, but does not apply to the ideas, systems, concepts, principles or discoveries these unique works express. 


• For works published after 1978, copyright is in effect for the life of the author + 70 years. For work-for-hire or anonymous authors, copyright lasts 95 years from first publication or 120 years from creation whichever is shorter.


• Even if you don't see a copyright symbol on a work, it is likely still under copyright.

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 1928

2.  The work is considered a U.S. Government Work. 

3. The use meets the criteria outlined under the Fair Use section

4. The use meets the criteria outlined in the Classroom Use section

5. The use meets the criteria for online courses outlined under the TEACH Act

6. The use is permitted under licensing agreements like Creative Commons

If in doubt ask permission!