My thoughts on copyright

     I believe we are all teachers here and have been through the copyright professional developments. If you are anything like me you found it boring and stop paying attention after the first minute or two. I knew it was the wrong thing to do but there is so much to it. I also saw the fair use table in the copy room and never read it. I guess I am lucky that no one has ever checked on me.
     Here is my understanding of copyright. There is a copyright on anything that is an original work, creative to a minimal degree and in a fixed or tangible form of expression. The copyright gives you the right to say how it is used. You can say how it is reproduced, distributed, make derivative works, public performance(tv and radio), and publicly display.  If someone else decides to use your work they must have permission or pay royalties. The copyright lasts the life of the creator plus 7years.
     There is no need to apply for a copyright anymore.  As of 1978 any work created assumes these rights as soon as they reach tangible form. Before that year someone had to apply for a copyright. Also even if something does not say it is copyrighted you can assume that it is.
     There is a difference between copyright, a patent and a trademark. They all do pretty much the same but apply to different things. A copyright applies to an original work of art or literature. A patent applies to something that is discovered or invented. A trademark is for words or a design that represents a company or product.
     People are allowed to use these works of art if they follow the fair use policy. According to 10 Big Myths About Copyright, a copyright allows for commentary,parody, news reporting, research and education. Most teachers understand that if they just use a little portion of something then it is ok. There are 4 standards, according to Fair Use and Copyrights for Teachers, for determination of the fair use exemption. These are
1. Purpose of use: You can use small parts for specific educational use, especially if the copies are made spontaneously and used temporarily.
2. Nature of the work: Copying of paragraphs is ok but chapters are questionable.
3. Proportion/extent of the material used: Duplicating excerpts or segments that do not reflect the "essence" of the work.
4. The effect on marketability: It cannot create a reduction in sales.
     I am not sure how I would approach this with students. The only thing that I found good for teaching was a video that I saw in my intro class last semester. It is a youtube video that explains copyright and fair use using small excerpts from Disney cartoons. The person explained they used Disney cartoons because that company has been known to sue for copyright quite often.