Carlow University faculty may include copyrighted materials as designated readings for Blackboard courses without prior permission from the copyright holder so long as such readings are in “fair use” compliance with the letter and spirit of Section 107 of the United States Copyright Law and with the educational exemptions allowed by the “TEACH” Act of 2003. The nature, scope or extent of the material must not exceed the reasonable limits of “fair use” and such use must be solely for non-profit, non-commercial educational purposes.

In order to remain in compliance with United States Copyright Law, and to ensure that such use made of a work is a “fair use,” Carlow University faculty should adhere to the following guidelines:

1. The copyrighted material may be posted on a Blackboard course one time only.
2. Copyrighted material may be posted on Blackboard courses for one semester only.
3. An excerpt from a copyrighted prose work must not exceed 15% of the work.
4. Anyone wishing to access copyrighted Blackboard readings must be officially registered on a class list.
5. Such readings on Blackboard must be password protected.
   

The purpose of these guidelines is to promote an environment of compliance with the law, inform Carlow faculty of their responsibilities under copyright law, and decrease the likelihood of unintentional and uninformed acts of infringement. Grace Library will continue to monitor legal developments that may affect the “fair use” of copyrighted material.

This policy was created on 8/31/04. Revised on 12/1/05 and 9/21/07.

Library home page