Copyright + Digital Content

The chances of breaking the law are greater than ever. New technologies provide a way to publish content for the world to view. It could be a Photostory® project using copyrighted images, a podcast using a popular tune, or a software purchase that is copied for use by many. This is a complex issue and one that can’t be addressed in a paragraph or two.
Carol Simpson, an Associate Professor at the University of North Texas School of Library and Information is trying to get educators to learn about and follow copyright laws. She also offers information like “How Much Material May I use in my Powerpoint ® Presentation?” on her website.
Does your district have a copyright policy? You can look at the policy of Bellingham Public School in Washington State.
The Software & Information Industry Association offers copyright information primers, guides, charts and posters. They also link to Cybersmart, a good site for K-8 educators that provides a series of lesson plans and activity sheets.

Joyce Valenza wrote an article “Fair use and transformativeness: It may shake your world” for School Library Journal’s April issue.