Chapter 13. Library

13.2. Copyright Law Summary

Definition

The Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Included in the copyright law is the concept of "fair use."

General Information

The JRVP Library is devoted to the discovery, creation, and dissemination of information and is committed to complying with all applicable laws regarding copyright. All aspects of copyright law, especially the "fair use" aspects, are complicated and open to multiple interpretations.

Title 17 of the U.S. Code contains copyright law and related laws. This law and other helpful circulars can be viewed at the Library of Congress web site at: http://www.loc.gov.

In order to facilitate knowledge about copyright, the Library has created a web page at http://www.lib.mtu.edu/services/copyright.aspx to guide the Michigan Tech community.

The following services are available from the Library:

• Guidance for addressing copyright issues.



• Access to information resources on copyright.



• Assistance to campus units in understanding "fair use" principles.



• Coordination of efforts to formulate policy for campus units.



• Sponsorship of copyright workshops for faculty, students, and staff.



• Searching the Copyright Clearance Center to seek copyright permissions.

Procedure

To seek copyright permissions, do the following:

1. Contact the Reference, Instruction and Government Information Services of the Library by calling 7-2507.