Great post, finding shared online content is very important, and it is important to understand the exception for educational purposes as well. Citation and permission are key.
Creative Commons is another important term to learn especially for the visual communication group.
Michael,
Good points. Creative Commons is something an instructor should always look at because there is a wealth of things which can be used without any problems.
Renee Shaffer
Fair use for sure, as well as public domain seem to be important. The definition of creative Commons is also a relatively new term that we see for many websites that are offering copyright free content and that might be another important definition to be aware of.
Rhonda,
Everyone needs to be on the same page about it, you are correct!
Renee Shaffer
It's a conversation that should include administrators, faculty and students. Students do not understand the seriousness of their action (cut and paste - then not citing probably). Perhaps the best way to both students and faculty is to show the worst case scenairo.
Robert,
I had never heard about this real Rocky, Chuck Wepner. Thanks for educating me!
Renee Shaffer
The course emphasizes fair use, public domain, and copyright infringement. However, fair use seems to a difficult area to clearly define. the course may clarify this area. I was struck that inspiration can be an infringement. In the documentary 30 to 30: The Real Rocky, Chuck Wepner sued Sylvester Stallone after Sylvester attend a boxing match with Mohammad Ali. Wepner was a relatively unknown and unproven boxer given a change at the world title in a match with MA. Upon leaving the bout Sly wrote the script for Rocky I. The story of the 'white hope' and 'the American opportunity' was nearly the same, i.e. Wepner's life. Wepner went 15 rounds like in the movie. Wepner sued multiple times under copyright laws only to have Sly finally settle for an undisclosed amount out of court. The Rock franchise is worth over $3 billion.
I'd like to learn more about the copyright law relative to creative inspiration.
As an educator, it is very important to transfer an understanding of the copyright issues presented in the course to my students. Most of these students are graduate level. Although they use citations, they need to understand the importance of getting permission to use published material. A citation in APA style is simply not enough.
