Ethical and Legal Aspects of Information

Copyright and Fair Use

What is Copyright?
Copyright is a form of protection provided by the laws of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code) to the authors of “original works of authorship." This protection applies to both published and unpublished works.

What is the Purpose of Copyright?
" To promote the progress of science and the useful arts by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries" -- U.S. Constitution, Article 1, Section 8.

Violation of Copyright
Copyright is violated when someone copies or uses a copyrighted work without the permission of the copyright owner unless used within the fair use provision of the copyright law.

For more information about copyrights visit: http://www.copyright.gov/