Copyrights and Intellectual Property Rights
Intellectual property rights arises frequently if you or your students conduct research, incorporate another's document (of any type) or publish on the Web. Here are some resources that can help you and your students.

Copyright Office Frequently Asked Questions
The U.S. Copyright Office has information on copyrights and fair use for the United States.
YouTube Copyright School
Where Russell learns some valuable lessons about copyright.
While the video is aimed at YouTube copyright issues, it brings up a number of copyright issues common across all forms of communication. Makes a great introductory video.
- YouTube URL
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InzDjH1-9Ns

10 Big Myths about copyright explained
Brad Templeton explores what could be the 10 biggest excuses for "appropriating" copyright material.
Copyright Law and You!
Tara Miller has created a great video aimed at middle school students. It looks at the history of copyright law, gives examples of fair use and describes "Public Domain".
- YouTube URL
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XES6jSAzxmk

Public Domain Images—Are You Legally Compliant?
Using images found online has become common practice. Photos, graphics, book covers, illustrations, and charts — students (and teachers) constantly use images to enhance their content on websites, blogs, and educational materials. But how do you know if those images are copyrighted or in the public domain?
This easy-to-follow post goes over what's needed for am image to be in the public domain and includes a list of public domain image resource websites.

How To Cite and Document On-Line Sources
The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) provides acceptable formats for citing online sources.
They suggest that it is always a good idea to maintain personal copies of electronic information, when possible. It is good practice to print or save web pages or, better, create an Acrobat .pdf copies of your source material. That way, you always have copies available for future reference.

Bellingham Schools' Copyright Compliance Policy
Bellingham Schools can be used as a model for a Copyright and Web Publishing policy.

WIPO
The world's clearinghouse on intellectual property rights, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), is located in Switzerland.

Stanford Copyright & Fair Use Center
The Stanford Copyright & Fair Use Center covers this issue in-depth, including fair use, what's public domain, and resources for librarians.

Creative Commons
Creative Commons defines the spectum of licensing possibilities between full copyright and the public domain.
Learning about copyrights and proper citation rules is a requisite skill for your students regardless of the media.
Related Topics ...
Other Areas To Check Out ...
● Whole Books OnLine
● International Libraries
● Other National Resources
● Getting Started And Happy Endings
● Virtual Schools Sampler
● Botanical Gardens