Copyright refers to certain legal rights to original works. While copyright law protects the rights of authors, it also provides exceptions that allow teachers and students to use copyrighted works in the teaching and learning process. Exceptions include materials in the public domain, face-to-face teaching exemption, and fair use. Fair use allows some use of copyrighted materials for certain activities including teaching and learning. Four factors must be weighed to determine if a use of copyrighted work qualifies as fair use: the purpose and character of the use, the nature of the copyrighted material, the amount used, and the effect of the use on the market for the work. Teachers and students can avoid copyright issues by asking permission for a use, using materials in the public domain or licensed through Creative Commons, and using websites that offer freely usable materials.

For more information, please visit Purdue's Blended and Online Teaching Hub. https://onlineteachinghub.education.purdue.edu