Based on recent conversations with the University Copyright Office, it is good to remember that materials posted on Blackboard are subject to U.S. Copyright Law.
Under the fair use and TEACH exceptions to the copyright law, materials can be posted to Blackboard but are subject to certain requirements. Protected works should only be posted for a limited time which should be no longer than the length of the course. Please advise students that the works are copyrighted and are for their own use. They are not to be further distributed beyond the class participants.
The following are some copyright hints for the successful use of Blackboard.
- Post links to materials instead of PDF’s.
- Works published prior to 1923 are in the public domain and can be freely used.
- Use works produced by the U.S. Federal government. They are in the public domain.
- Look for works with creative commons licenses that allow the works to be used for educational purposes.
- Only use the amount of the work that is necessary to convey the required information.
For further information on copyright, please contact the University Copyright Office – www.lib.purdue.edu/uco