OSCQR – Standard #33

Course materials and resources include copyright and licensing status, clearly stating permission to share where applicable.

Review These Explanations

Instructors need to be aware of the copyright and licensing status on all materials used in their online courses. Copyright infringement happens when works are copied, performed, or distributed without the permission of the copyright holder, or when those actions are not allowed under federal exceptions of copyright law. Understanding copyright and licensing status will guide faculty to make the right choices when integrating resources into their online courses, and to cite those sources properly.

Copyright and fair use can be complicated, and faculty should check with campus librarians for guidance on where to locate the licensing status of all materials, and how to cite and state copyright permissions appropriately.

Resources and materials in the course should all be properly cited. In doing so, instructors and programs model good academic citizenship. This can guide learners to respect the intellectual property of other, and explore effective practices on publishing new materials.

Refresh Your Course with These Ideas

General Suggestions

Check with campus librarians on copyright and fair use policies, and post these in the course information documents area.
Have a campus librarian review your online course for copyright and licensing compliance issues.
Create a video on copyright and fair use guidelines by interviewing your campus copyright expert. Include this in your course information documents area.
Use a copyright and fair use check list and review your course when you are done developing it. Repeat this checklist review each time you teach the course.
Explore the possibilities of using a Creative Commons license on materials that you create and distribute in your course.

Explore Related Resources

SUNY Faculty Copyright Ownership FAQs

These copyright and fair use tips can guide your practice as you design and develop your online courses.

Center for Social Media Impact Copyright and Fair Use

The Center for Media & Social Impact at American University is an innovation incubator and research center that creates, studies, and showcases media for social impact.

This guide from California State University, Long Beach, is designed to help faculty understand their role as it relates Copyright and Fair Use, especially in regards to legal use of their teaching materials.

Creative Commons Frequently Asked Questions

Creative Commons is a global nonprofit organization that enables sharing and reuse of creativity and knowledge through the provision of free legal tools. This site explores answers to common questions.

Know Your Copy Rights

A collection of resources for faculty and librarians to use together to promote copyright and fair use compliance.

Share What You Know

OSCQR has been developed by a community of online practitioners interested in quality course design. There are numerous opportunities for community members to offer suggestions, donate resources, and help with future development.

Discuss this standard in the comments section at the bottom of this page.

Contribute your own ideas or refresh resources by filling out the OSCQR Examples Contribution Form.