Whether to Convert Your Old Format Media through Copying?
As BCC is adopting digital technology, faculty face challenges of integrating existing analog format media material with digital teaching equipment. Technology is available to copy older format media such as transparencies, 35mm slides, laserdiscs, phonograph recordings, 16mm films and videos into digital files or onto a variety of digital discs (cd's, CD-ROM's, or dvd's).
What are your considerations and best practices in the context of U.S. Copyright Law?
Section 107 Fair Use
Fair Use provides provisions for copying for teaching, scholarship, or research. The following chart shows some factors to weigh in determining whether your use is fair.
Commercially distributed audiovisual works generally receive less fair use consideration within the courts than do print works.
|
Fair Use Factor |
In favor of copying |
Not in favor of copying |
|
1. Purpose and character of educational use |
Nonprofit |
Commercial |
|
2. Nature of copyrighted work |
Fact based |
Creative (art, films, plays) |
|
3. Amount or substantiality (heart of the work) |
Clips or portions |
Whole work |
|
4. Effect on the potential Market Value of the work |
Not marketed
|
Digital copy available Licensing is available Permissions easily obtained |
Remember to include the full copyright attribution/citation from the original on any copies which you decide to make!
Other Fair Use and Copyright resources:
- Copyright Basics, Copyright Clearance Center
- Copyright Crash Course University of Texas