Copyright Resources
compiled by Carl Rahkonen, Music Librarian / Professor

I have been interested in copyright since 1979, and have collected information, taken seminars, and attended hearings and clinics on copyright.   From time to time, I have been asked to do presentations for classes, library groups, and continuing education.  The following resources are from those presentations and I've placed them here for those who may wish to study them further.

Disclaimer:  These resources should NOT be taken as legal advice.  They only provide a summary and overview of the literature on copyright.

My PowerPoints:

Copyright Basics in the Digital Age
The Basics of Fair Use
The Digital Millennium, Term Extension, and TEACH Acts
Copyright Case Studies

Web-sites:

U.S. National Copyright Office:  http://www.loc.gov/copyright   Be sure to read their circular on Copyright Basics.

The American Library Association (ALA) Copyright site

The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) Copyright and Intellectual Property site

The Music Library Association "Copyright for Music Librarians"

Dr. Ronald B. Standler's excellent essay on Music Copyright and associated links.

Columbia University "Copyright Advisory Office" and their Fair Use checklist  (created by Kenneth D. Crews)

Brad Templeton “10 Big Myths About Copyright” A fine site for discussion of copyright issues.

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office:  http://www.uspto.gov
This is a great site for all intellectual property questions.  Be sure to check out the general discussion of the differences between the three types of intellectual property.

Copyright & Fair Use  Stanford University Libraries. Links to primary materials (statutes, regulations, treaties), current legislation, resources on the Internet, and overview of copyright law.

Copyright Website  Practical and relevant copyright information.

When U.S. Works Pass into Public Domain:  Laura N. (Lolly) Gasaway, Professor of Law, University of North Carolina, and copyright expert.

Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights, from the National Paralegal College.

Ultimate Guide to Copyright