Copyright

U.S. copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code) prohibits the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of copyrighted materials, except as permitted by the principle of fair use. Users may not copy or distribute electronic materials (including electronic mail, text, images, programs or data) without the explicit permission of the copyright holder, except as permitted by the principle of fair use. 

 It is against the law to copy copyright protected software.  Any responsibility for the consequences of copyright infringement lies with the user. The library expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility resulting from such use.

Fair use guidelines may be reviewed at:

Fair Use (US Copyright Office)

Additonal information regarding copyright may also be viewed in the following document:

Copyright Compliance Policy and Practice

The following government sites provide more information on compliance with copyright laws:

• United States Copyright Office
• Copyright Basics (US Copyright Office)
• Digital Millennium Copyright Act (US Copyright Office)
• Reproduction of Copyrighted Works by Educators and Librarians

The following University and Origanization websites also provide further in guideance and copyright and fair use issues:

• Stanford Copyright & Fair Use Center
• Fair Use @ American University's Center for Social Media
• Fair Use presentation for students from American University's Center for Social Media
• Copyright Tools from the American Library Association

TEACH Act Information

Distance Education and the TEACH Act (American Library Association) -Provides an overview of the TEACH Act, including FAQs and guidelines for best practices using Blackboard

The TEACH Act: New Roles, Rules, and Responsibilities for Acdemic Institutions (Copyright Clearence Center)

TEACH Act Information (Copyright Crash Course @ University of Texas)

The TEACH Act Tool Kit (North Carolina State University)

Copyright Law and Distance Education: Overview of the TEACH Act (Columbia University) - Excellent overview and analysis written by the director of the Columbia University Copyright Advisory Office

Academic and intellectual freedom:

The Julia Tutwiler Library and Curriculum Lab strive to ensure that students, faculty, and staff at The University of West Alabama have the right and means to free and open access to ideas and information fundamental to and constitutionally protected in our democratic society. The library will protect intellectual freedom, promote literacy, encourage lifelong learning, and provide library materials and information services supporting open access to information.