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Faculty & Staff Resources: Copyright Compliance & Images

Overview of resources and services available through the Full Sail Library.

Ethical Use of Media

The ethical use of media, including resources accessed through university-provided databases, is each person’s responsibility. As a student or faculty member, you may use media for educational purposes, such as course assignments, teaching and personal research. However, these materials are protected by copyright and require the permission of the creator should you use them outside of the classroom or learning environment either for personal or professional works. It is your responsibility to review the copyright information from the source you found the media to ensure you are in compliance.

As a member of the Full Sail University community you are provided with access to thousands of resources, including articles, books, images, sound effects, music, and movies. In addition to paying for the resources, the Library team also negotiates licenses stipulating how and by whom the resources may be used. In the event that license terms are violated by anyone, licensors may temporarily suspend access to the resource for the entire university community. In some cases, the licenses can be permanently revoked.

You can help prevent problems by following “good practices” in accessing and using resources.

Usually OK

  • Making/using a limited number of copies (typically a single copy) for educational purpose, such as writing a research paper
  • Posting links to specific content

Usually NOT OK

  • Systematic or substantial downloading, printing, copying (such as entire journal issues or books, or bulk downloads of sound effects)
  • Selling or re-distributing content, or providing it to an employer
  • Sharing with people other than Full Sail students and staff
  • Sharing login or password information with people other than Full Sail students and staff
  • Posting actual content to websites or listservs (e.g., complete articles or books)
  • Modifying, altering, or creating derivative works

Always acknowledge your source of any published or unpublished documents, media, and other resources you found and used in the creation of your assignments or teaching materials.

Definitions

What is PUBLIC DOMAIN?

Public domain refers to creative works that are not protected by intellectual property laws (copyright, trademark, or patent laws). The public owns these works, not an author or artist. These works may be used by anyone without obtaining permission.

What is COPYRIGHT?

Copyright refers to the legal protection of "original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression." These original works may be published or unpublished. "Works of authorship include literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, such as poetry, novels, movies, songs, computer software, and architecture." Photographic images and artwork are protected by copyright laws. (U.S. Copyright Office. Copyright in General (FAQ). Retrieved from https://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-general.html, 19 December 2016).

What is CREATIVE COMMONS?

A creative commons license designates how creative works may be used by others. The creative commons license is entered into by the author or artist, who selects the protections to be applied to the creative work. The license offers flexibility in making works usable by others, including sharing, remixing, and editing. "About the Licenses" from Creative Commons provides a comprehensive discussion of how licenses are applied and how the creative works may be used.

Image Sources