Understanding Copyright

Materials in the UM Libraries collections may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Act and/or by the copyright or neighboring-rights laws of other nations. With regard to copyright, copies of these materials are provided under the authority of Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act which provides for fair use.

It is the user’s obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other use restrictions when reproducing materials found in the Libraries’ collections. Requests for reproductions may be denied if such work would damage the materials to be copied. The availability of reproductions is subject to the material’s size, condition, and copyright restrictions.

Copyright Basics

UM Libraries Policies Related to Copyright, Reproduction, and Permissions

Copyright & Course Reserves

All copyrighted material added to course websites or submitted to the Libraries for print and electronic course reserves must fall within fair use guidelines. Instructors are responsible for determining whether their material meets the criteria for fair use. Course Reserves staff are available to assist instructors with interpretation of the fair use guidelines.

The Libraries reserve the right to decline a reserve request based on their interpretation of copyright law. If a request is denied, the instructor will be notified, and the materials will not be placed on Course Reserves.

Links to items available on licensed databases should be used whenever possible. Creating a copy of an online resource should only occur if the web address for the item is not stable.

In general, the Libraries will place library-owned materials on print or electronic course reserves as a fair use of these copyrighted works. The Libraries will seek permission from the copyright holder only when the Libraries determine the use to be in excess of the provisions of U.S. Copyright Act (Title 17, U.S.C.), section 107.
The Libraries will purchase materials that it does not own if requested for course reserves. Personal copies lawfully purchased by an instructor will be placed on print reserves only.

If copyright permission is needed for a photocopy or scan of material, the instructor has the option of placing the physical item on print Course Reserves.
Use of materials on electronic reserves is restricted to students enrolled in the course.

Copyright & InterLibrary Loan

A complete bibliographic citation for articles from journals and excerpts from books is needed for Interlibrary Loan staff to request copyright permission from publishers. The Libraries will seek copyright permission for articles and book chapters obtained via Interlibrary Loan. You will be notified if permission is denied and the interlibrary loan request cancelled.

The Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) govern the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted materials. Libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction of materials under certain conditions specified in the law. To abide by Copyright Law, only 50 pages or 10% of a work, whichever is less, can be copied and obtained via Interlibrary Loan.

The Library reserves the right to decline requests based on the interpretation of the Copyright Law.

Additional Resources

 

DISCLAIMER: What is presented here is not legal advice and should not be taken as such. This information is presented to provide guidance to the University Community regarding library materials and resources and copyright, permissions, and related services. If a specific concern or question is not addressed in this guide, you are still responsible for compliance (U.S. Copyright Law).

Ask bubble