Copyright Policy for Students

Copyright refers to exclusive legal rights authors or owners have over their works for a specific period. These rights include copying whole or parts of works, creating derivative works, and distributing or performing the works.

Students may not make additional copies of any copyright-protected materials given to them in the classroom.

Students may make one copy of materials placed on Course Reserve for them in a library or tutoring center. The copy may only be used for personal use, and additional copies may not be made for distribution to others.

Students may print one copy of articles found in an online database for their personal use.

Students may print one copy of information found in an Internet site for their personal use.

Students may make one copy of portions of copyright-protected materials as indicated below, for use in their papers, presentations, etc.

Media Allowable Portion under Fair Use

• Fiction or Non-fiction book

One chapter or 10%, whichever is less

• Short story

Up to 1000 words or 10%, whichever is less

• Poem

Up to 250 words or 10%, up to 3 from one poet

• Article

One article from an issue of a periodical

• Chart

One from a book or issue of a periodical

• Music, lyrics, or music video

Up to 10% but not more than 30 seconds

• Cartoon, diagram, graph, illustration, or photograph

Up to 15 works or 10% from a publication, and up to 5 images from one artist

• Numerical data set

Up to 10% or 2500 fields

All copyright-protected material used must include the complete source citation and the rights holder. This information should appear on the same page as the material itself.

If you have a copyright question not answered by this information, please contact the Library Director for assistance.