Copyright FAQ

You can embed links to articles and chapters in your course site on Canvas.

To make sure the students don't hit a paywall for the content, use a "permalink" to the content. That is a link that uses the library proxy - if the student is off campus the link will help them authenticate by prompting them to log on to TXST resources.

You can find permalinks on the library website. Find the article using Start Your Research or a direct database search, then click on the link icon. That's the permalink.

You may be able to claim fair use for uploading articles and chapters to your course site (even if we don't subscribe to the content), but make sure the versions you upload are accessible.

If you do upload pdfs, make sure they are readable by screen readers. If you download the content from library subscriptions, the pdfs should be accessible. If you make a photocopy from a print resource - it probably will not be accessible.

You will get an error message if you try and upload a file as large as a movie to your Canvas site. If you want students to have access to a large file like a movie, you can upload that to Yuja instead and embed the content in Canvas.

You will want to make sure you are compliant with copyright and with the federal prohibitions against circumventing technical measures. Ripping a copy of a film that is encrypted may violate the anti-circumvention measures of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). You may be able to copy an entire film if your purpose is to use that copy to make short portions of the film available to students for a course. 

Make sure you restrict access in Yuja to students enrolled in your course, and make sure you correct the captions on the film to 100 percent accuracy.

Alternatively, you can ask the library to lease streaming access for the film. Be aware that some films and television series are exclusive to personal streaming services that don't offer subscriptions to libraries. Sometimes your only option is to ask students to subscribe to those streaming services to watch the content.

It depends on the publisher's license agreement and copyright policy. Some publishers allow instructors to use their test questions and PowerPoints for educational purposes, while others do not. It is always best to check the license agreement that came with the textbook or to contact the publisher directly to find out what you can and cannot do. 

If you do want to make changes to the PowerPoints, you should also check the license agreement to see if that is allowed. In some cases, you may be allowed to modify the PowerPoints for your own use, but you may not be allowed to distribute the modified versions to others. 

Regardless of the license agreement, it is important to respect the intellectual property rights of the publisher and to only use the materials in accordance with the terms and conditions outlined in the license agreement. 

Answer written by ChatGPT, a language model developed by OpenAI. Edited by Stephanie Towery, Copyright & Open Access Initiative Librarian. 

The license agreement should be included in the materials that you downloaded from the publisher's website. If you cannot find it in the materials themselves, you can try searching the publisher's website for "license agreement" or "copyright policy." If you're still unable to find the information you need, you can contact the publisher directly and ask about their policy regarding the use of their supplementary materials. 

It's important to review the license agreement and understand the terms and conditions for using the supplementary materials, as well as the publisher's copyright policy, to ensure that you're using the materials in a manner that is compliant with the law and respectful of the publisher's rights. 

Answer written by ChatGPT, a language model developed by OpenAI. Edited by Stephanie Towery, Copyright & Open Access Initiative Librarian. 

Including figures or charts from journal articles in your thesis or dissertation is possible, but you need to make sure to follow proper copyright and attribution rules. Here are the steps you should take to include a figure or chart in your thesis or dissertation: 

Check the copyright policy: Before using any figures or charts, you need to check the copyright policy of the journal article. Some journals allow you to use figures and charts for personal use or academic purposes, while others require permission from the copyright holder. If a journal article is open access, then you will not have to request permission. You will need to follow the terms of the open access license, including providing attribution. 

Obtain permission: If the journal's copyright policy requires permission to use the figure or chart, you need to request it from the copyright holder. You can do this by contacting the journal publisher or the author of the article. Most journals have automated the permissions process. From the online version of the journal article, find the link to request permissions. Follow the process for permissions by filling out the online forms. You may have to register for an account at the Copyright Clearance Center to complete the permissions process, but the account is free. 

Cite the source: When you use a figure or chart from a journal article, you must properly cite the source. You should include a citation in the text of your thesis or dissertation and provide a full reference in your bibliography. 

Use the figure or chart appropriately: You should only use the figure or chart for the purpose for which you obtained permission. This means you cannot modify or alter the figure or chart in any way without permission. 

Give proper attribution: You should provide proper attribution to the original source of the figure or chart. This includes a caption or legend that clearly states the source of the figure or chart and the original author. 

By following these steps, you can ensure that you are using figures and charts from journal articles in a way that is legal and ethical. The same process applies to book chapters. For those, register at the Copyright Clearance Center and follow their process. 

Answer written by ChatGPT, a language model developed by OpenAI. Edited by Stephanie Towery, Copyright & Open Access Initiative Librarian. 

To create a documentary film, you'll need to obtain permission from the people who appear in your film in order to use their likeness and image. This is typically done through a release form, also known as a talent release or talent waiver. 

Here are some of the key elements that are typically included in a talent release for a documentary film: 

Identification of the film: The release should identify the documentary film by name, production company, and date of production. 

Identification of the talent: The release should identify each person appearing in the film by name, address, and signature. 

Grant of rights: The release should clearly state the rights being granted to the filmmaker, such as the right to use the person's likeness, image, and voice in the film and any related marketing materials. 

Time period: The release should specify the time period during which the rights are granted, as well as any restrictions on the use of the material. 

Compensation: The release should specify any compensation being paid to the talent for their appearance in the film. 

Warranty and Indemnification: The release should contain a warranty from the talent that they have the right to grant the rights specified in the release and that their appearance in the film will not infringe on any third-party rights. It should also contain an indemnification provision that requires the talent to defend and hold harmless the filmmaker from any claims related to the use of the talent's likeness and image in the film. 

It's important to keep in mind that laws surrounding talent releases and the use of likeness and image in documentaries can vary from country to country, so it's recommended that you consult with an attorney familiar with the laws in your jurisdiction to ensure that your release form is legally valid and protects your interests. 

Answer written by ChatGPT, a language model developed by OpenAI. Edited by Stephanie Towery, Copyright & Open Access Initiative Librarian. 

Posting your thesis online could have an impact on the permissions you need to obtain from the people appearing in your film. In general, if you're going to make your thesis publicly accessible online, you'll need to obtain a release that grants you the right to use the person's likeness and image not just in your film, but also in any online posting of the film. 

Here are a few additional considerations to keep in mind when obtaining releases for an online thesis: 

Worldwide distribution: When posting online, your thesis will likely be accessible to a global audience, so you'll want to make sure that your release form grants you the right to use the person's likeness and image for worldwide distribution. 

Duration of rights: The duration of the rights granted in the release form should take into account the fact that your thesis will be online indefinitely. Consider obtaining a release that grants you the right to use the person's likeness and image for an unlimited period of time. 

Use in other projects: If you plan to use the footage from your thesis in other projects in the future, you should consider obtaining a release that grants you the right to use the footage for these additional projects as well. 

Social media: If you plan to post your thesis or any clips from it on social media or other online platforms, you should consider obtaining a release that specifically grants you the right to use the footage in this context. 

As with any release form, it's important to consult with an attorney to ensure that your online thesis release form is legally valid and protects your interests. 

Answer written by ChatGPT, a language model developed by OpenAI. Edited by Stephanie Towery, Copyright & Open Access Initiative Librarian. 

When using other people's music or art in a documentary film, it's important to consider the copyright and intellectual property rights associated with those works. If you didn't create the music or the art, you likely need to obtain permission to use them in your film. 

Using someone else's music or art in your film without obtaining proper permission could result in legal issues, such as copyright infringement. The copyright owner of the music or art could take legal action against you and your film could be taken down from the internet. 

To avoid these issues, you may need to obtain a license or permission to use the music and art in your film. This could involve contacting the copyright owner or their representative and negotiating the terms of the license. In some cases, you may need to pay a fee for the license or make arrangements to give credit to the copyright owner in your film. 

In general, it's a good idea to seek legal advice before using someone else's music or art in your film to ensure that you are in compliance with copyright laws and not exposing yourself to any potential legal liability. 

Answer written by ChatGPT, a language model developed by OpenAI. Edited by Stephanie Towery, Copyright & Open Access Initiative Librarian. 

To use Beyoncé's "Countdown" in your documentary film, you will need to obtain two types of licenses: a synchronization license and a master use license. 

A synchronization license gives you the right to sync a specific song with visual images, such as in a film or television show. This type of license is typically obtained from the publisher of the musical composition. 

A master use license, on the other hand, gives you the right to use a specific recording of the song. This type of license is typically obtained from the record label that owns the master recording of the song. 

You can obtain these licenses by contacting the copyright holders of the musical composition and the master recording, which may be a publishing company and a record label, respectively. You can also contact a music licensing agency that specializes in clearing music rights for film and television projects. These agencies can help you obtain the necessary licenses and handle the licensing process on your behalf. 

It's important to note that the cost and process for obtaining these licenses can vary greatly depending on the specific song and the intended use, so it's best to work with a music licensing expert to ensure that you have all the necessary rights for your documentary film. 

Answer written by ChatGPT, a language model developed by OpenAI. Edited by Stephanie Towery, Copyright & Open Access Initiative Librarian. 

Yes, if you have included children in your documentary film, there are certain ethical considerations you need to keep in mind before posting it online. Children's welfare, privacy, and safety should be a top priority, and you need to make sure that you have taken appropriate measures to protect them. 

Here are a few things to consider: 

Parental consent: You should have obtained written consent from the parents or guardians of the children appearing in your film. This consent should include details such as the child's name, the purpose of the film, and the intended distribution and use of the film. 

Privacy: You should avoid including any personal information or images that could compromise the privacy and safety of the children appearing in your film. This could include full names, addresses, phone numbers, or images that clearly identify their school or community. 

Blurring or obscuring faces: You may also consider blurring or obscuring the faces of the children in the film to further protect their privacy. 

Approval from academic authorities: Before posting your film online, you should also make sure that you have obtained the necessary approvals from your academic authorities, such as your thesis supervisor or the ethics committee of your institution. 

By taking these steps, you can help ensure that the children in your film are protected and that your film adheres to ethical standards. 

Answer written by ChatGPT, a language model developed by OpenAI. Edited by Stephanie Towery, Copyright & Open Access Initiative Librarian. 

In general, when you publish a journal article, you sign over a certain amount of copyright to the publisher. The terms of the copyright transfer vary depending on the publisher and the journal, but most publishers require the author to transfer exclusive rights to reproduce and distribute the article. This means that you may need to obtain permission from the publisher in order to include the article in your dissertation. 

However, many publishers allow authors to include their articles in their dissertations, either as part of a pre-print version or as the final, published version. In some cases, the publisher may allow you to include the article in your dissertation as long as you properly cite the article and include a disclaimer that it has been previously published. 

It is important to carefully review the copyright agreement that you signed with the publisher to determine what rights you have to reuse the article. If you are unsure about the terms of the agreement, you can contact the publisher and ask for clarification. 

In general, it is always a good idea to seek permission from the publisher before using any copyrighted material in your dissertation. This helps to ensure that you are using the material legally and reduces the risk of any copyright infringement issues down the road. 

Answer written by ChatGPT, a language model developed by OpenAI. Edited by Stephanie Towery, Copyright & Open Access Initiative Librarian.