The information presented here is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice.
The policy statements and guidelines outlined here serve as a guide for anyone affiliated with the University who wishes to copy, alter, or perform works that are protected by copyright. All members of the Mary Baldwin University community must comply with the provisions of the United States Copyright Law (Title 17, United States Code, Sect. 101, et seq.) and related amendments. The information contained in this document is not comprehensive. It attempts to address the issues most likely to concern students, faculty, and staff. Members of the University community who disregard the current copyright policy do so at their own risk and assume all liability.
What Guidelines apply to placing materials on Reserve in the library?
The Library Reserve service should be used to supplement required course materials; faculty should refrain from using reserve readings as the only assigned materials for a course. Readings cannot remain on Reserve for more than one semester without copyright permission. Electronic Reserve materials must be placed in a secure site, limiting distribution to students enrolled in a course. There must also be technological limitations on access to the materials - i.e. students must first log in. Short-term access to materials included on electronic reserve systems in previous academic terms may be provided to students who have not completed the course. Material may be retained in electronic form while permission is being sought or until the next academic term in which the material might be used. Articles that are used for a class year after year become part of coursework and require permission each term/semester. All copies on Reserve must be marked: NOTICE: This material may be protected by copyright law (Title 17 U.S. Code
For more information on putting materials on reserve, please reach out to Karissa DeTrana at kldetrana@marybaldwin.edu
What is Copyright?
Copyright is a form of legal protection for authors of original works, including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and other intellectual products. This protection applies to published and unpublished works, including those not registered with the U.S. Copyright Office. Copyrights usually last through the life of the author, plus seventy years. Section 106 of the Copyright Act (90 Stat 2541) generally gives the owner of copyright the exclusive right to do and to authorize others to:
a. Reproduce copies of the work.
b. Prepare derivative works based on the copyrighted work.
c. Distribute copies of the work by sale, rental, lease, or lending.
d. Publicly perform the work.
e. Publicly display the work.
Works no longer need to be registered with the Copyright Office to be officially copyrighted.