Copyright Free

Copyright permission isn't always required. For example, the college may have a license for the work you wish to use and many others are not protected by copyright. Here's a list of categories you can explore as an alternative to seeking copyright permission or seeking to apply fair use. 

Licensed Works

The Luria Library licenses thousands of publications and articles that can be used by students and employees. These licensed works can be linked directly into your course materials and don't require permission.

Unprotected Works

  • Works that lack originality (such as a phone book)
  • Works in the public domain
    • Anything published before December 31, 1922 is in the public domain
    • Anything published between 1923-1978 are protected for 95-years from date of publication
    • Any works created (publication not required) after 1978, or unpublished prior to December 31, 1978 are protected for the "life-of-author" plus 70-years
  • Government documents
  • Facts
  • Idea, procedure, process system, method of operation, concept, principle, or discovery described in copyrighted works

Creative Commons Works

Finding materials using Creative Commons is a very useful for finding images and texts to support. Learn more about Creative Commons and know that you can search many online resources just for items in the Creative Commons. 

Implied License

According to Georgia K. Harper, some materials may have an implied license. She writes, "All of us who place materials on the open Web do so knowing that people will use our works in certain ways (downloading, making personal copies, sending copies to friends, etc.). This is the essence of an implied license. I put my materials out there and even though I don't "expressly" give you the right to do these things, the law assumes that I must have intended to give you the right to do what a reasonable copyright owner would expect the public to do. Most nonprofit, educational uses would likely be within the scope of what people expect when they place materials on the open Web. The scope of this license might be the same as or different from fair use, but it's good to know that we have both. Providing attribution should become automatic for you, whenever you use others' works." Source 

Fair Use Exemption

This is a broad category of exemption that has a great deal of latitude. that said, it is not a guarantee for students and faculty in an academic institution. Learn more at our What is Fair Use page or at fair use exemption.