The Creighton University Libraries comply with all applicable copyright laws and related guidelines. This page provides basic guidance regarding the photocopying of copyrighted materials.
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. The Guide to Policies of Creighton University also contains information regarding copyright compliance and local expectations. The relevant sections of the Guide include:
- Copyrights of Digital Materials and Software (2.1.8)
- Fair, Responsible and Acceptable Use Policy for Electronic Resources (2.4.25)
- Software Media Control (2.4.42)
- Intellectual Property (4.2.3)
Copyright Assistance
The Creighton University Libraries can assist you in obtaining copyright permissions. The University uses the Academic Permissions Service (APS ) of the Copyright Clearance Center to obtain copyright permissions for reserves and other uses. Faculty may log on to CCC Online or contact the Reinert-Alumni Library for assistance. If the publication isn't included in the CCC, we will contact the publisher for you. Departments are responsible for all copyright fees.
Fair Use
Section 107 of The Copyright Act of 1976 provides certain exceptions to the copyright holder's exclusive rights. Under Section 107, photocopies of copyrighted materials may be made for purposes such as teaching, scholarship, or research without infringement. Section 107 lists four factors to be considered in determining whether a particular use is fair use:
- The purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;
- The nature of the copyrighted work;
- The amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and
- The effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.
Course Reserves
In addition to the Fair Use guidelines, the Library adheres to the following provisions in determining acceptable duplication for the Course Reserves collection:
Hard Copy Reserves
- Materials on reserve will include a copyright warning or notice.
- No photocopies of consumable works such as standardized tests, workbooks, answer sheets, and solution manuals can be placed on reserve.
- There is a limit of five copies of a single article.
- Materials will be placed on reserve only with signed request of the instructor.
- All materials should include a proper citation to the source.
E-Reserves
- Materials on reserve will include a copyright warning or notice.
- It is preferable to link to materials already legally available at another site rather than scanning or making a digital copy.
- Access to materials should be restricted to students enrolled in the specific courses.
- Students should not have access to materials after the completion of the course or academic term.
- Materials will be placed on reserve only with signed request of the instructor.
- All materials should include a proper citation to the source.
Copyright Resources
A Case for Fair Use: The Georgia State Decision
Circular 21: Reproduction of Copyrighted Works by Educators and Librarians
Copyright Advisory Network (American Library Association)
Copyright for the Rest of Us: A Guide for People Who Aren't Lawyers
Distance Education and the TEACH Act (ALA)
Fair Use and Electronic Reserves (ALA)
Fair Use Guidelines for Educational Multimedia
Streaming Films for Educational Purposes (Library Copyright Alliance)
Creighton Fair Use Checklist (Reinert-Alumni Library)