Policy on Photocopying Copyrighted Materials
(Policy Statement on Photocopying Copyrighted Materials for Classroom and Research Use approved by the Board of Trustees, May 9, 1983.)
In December 1982, nine publishers commenced a lawsuit against the University and nine members of the faculty (as well as an off-campus copy shop) alleging that the photocopying and distribution of certain course materials, without permission of the copyright owners of the materials, violated the Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. Section 101 et seq., 90 Stat. 2541, Pub. L. 94-553). It has become increasingly clear that the subject of photocopying for classroom and research purposes is of significant concern to the faculty, who have inquired about issues such as when photocopying may be done without the consent of the copyright owner; when and how permission to photocopy should be obtained; how exposure to liability may be reduced; and under what circumstances the University will defend them against claims of copyright infringement arising out of photocopying for classroom and research use. To assist the faculty in resolving these issues, to facilitate compliance with the copyright laws, and as part of the settlement of the publishers’ lawsuit, the University is issuing this Policy Statement.
I. The principles of the copyright law are designed to promote the creation, publication, and use of works of the intellect. These principles include both the exclusive rights of copyright owners to determine certain uses of their works (in not-for-profit as well as commercial contexts) and certain exceptions, including the doctrine of “fair use.” These precepts are in the mutual interest of the university, author, and publisher communities and of the public.
II. Under the copyright laws, certain photocopying of copyrighted works for educational purposes may take place without the permission of the copyrighted owner under the doctrine of “fair use” (presently set forth in Section 107 of the Copyright Act). This principle is subject to limitations, but neither the statute nor judicial decisions give specific practical guidance on what photocopying falls within fair use. To achieve for faculty greater certainty of procedure, to reduce risks of infringement or allegations thereof, and to maintain a desirable flexibility to accommodate specific needs, the following policies have been adopted by the University for use through December 31, 1985 (and thereafter, unless modified). If members of the faculty experience any problems or have suggestions, they are asked to communicate them to the Office of Legal Counsel.
A. The Guidelines set forth in Appendix I are to be used to determine whether or not the prior permission of the copyright owner is to be sought for photocopying for research and classroom use.3 If the proposed photocopying is not permitted under the Guidelines in Appendix I, permission to copy is to be sought. An explanation of how permissions may be sought and a procedure for furnishing to the administration information concerning the responses by copyright owners to requests for permission are set forth in Appendix II. After permission has been sought, copying should be undertaken only if permission has been granted and in accordance with the terms of the permission, except as provided in the next paragraph.
B. The doctrine of fair use may now or hereafter permit specific photocopying in certain situations, within limitations, beyond those specified in the Guidelines4 or those that might be agreed to by the copyright owner. In order to preserve the ability of individual faculty members to utilize the doctrine of fair use in appropriate circumstances without incurring the risk of having personally to defend an action by a copyright owner who may disagree as to the limits of fair use, a faculty member who has sought permission to photocopy and has not received such permission (or has received permission contingent upon conditions that the faculty member considers inappropriate) may request a review of the matter by General Counsel of the University. If upon review the General Counsel determines that some or all of the proposed photocopying is permitted by the copyright law, the General Counsel will so advise the faculty member. In that event, should any such photocopying by the faculty member thereafter give rise to a claim of copyright infringement, the University will defend and indemnify the faculty member against any such claim in accordance with the provisions of the Board of Trustees policy on Legal Protection of Faculty (Faculty Handbook [1999 ed.], pp. 84-86).
C. In the absence of the determination and advice by the General Counsel referred to in paragraph B, or in the event that permission has not been first requested by the faculty member as provided in paragraph A, no defense or indemnification by the University shall be provided to a faculty member whose photocopying gives rise to a claim of copyright infringement.
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