Copyright

Administrative Procedure 3.301

Elgin Community College and its faculty, administration, support staff, and students will comply with the copyright laws of the United States (Title 17, United States Code)

This compliance will be supported by the College Copyright Officer. This procedure cannot substitute for careful attention to the full provisions of U.S. Copyright Law.

Definitions

  1. Copyright:  A form of intellectual property law.  An exclusive, legal, right regulating the production and/or reproduction of literary, pictorial, audio, or visual work; the right to copy an original creation.  
  2. Copyright Owner:  The copyright owner is the owner of the exclusive rights comprised in a copyright.
  3. Licenses or other contractual agreements:  Agreements, either licensed or contracted, granting permission/authorization to use copyrighted material.
  4. Other permission: Permission from copyright owner to use copyrighted material.
  5. Fair use: Doctrine in the U.S. Copyright Act permits limited use of copyrighted material without requiring permission from the copyright holder/author.  
  6. Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA): 1998 Amendment to Title 17 U.S. Code of the Copyright Act criminalizing the production and dissemination of technology circumventing procedures to protect copyrighted work.  
  7. Technology, Education, and Copyright Harmonization Act (TEACH):  Provides educators with separate rights under the Copyright Act regarding fair use, display, and performance of others’ works in the classroom, as well as digital distance education “within limited and reasonable portions.”

General Guidelines

All members of the College community are prohibited from copying materials not specifically allowed by:

  • The Copyright Act (Title 17, United States Code), including its amendments
  • The owner of the copyrighted material
  • Licenses or other contractual agreements
  • Other permission
  • Fair use guidelines
  • The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)
  • The Technology, Education, and Copyright Harmonization Act (TEACH)

Liability for willful infringement of the copyright law rests solely upon the person in violation. This procedure is applicable to all College employees, including students who are employees, and to all members of the College community whether or not they are actually employed by the College.

Additional information regarding copyright is available on the College’s website, on e-Net, and in print.