Is this a copyright violation?

This is a question I've asked myself many times...especially when it comes to using images and documents from the internet.
As a teacher, it is smart and safe to assume that images, documents, texts, video clips, or other outside sources are copyrighted. By making this assumption, we can avoid the risk of copyright violations and legally use these sources with the fair use guidelines.


Image Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeblogs/3020966582/


Fair Use according to the U.S. Copyright Office
(Link: http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html )

According to the U.S. Copyright office, there are four factors to be considered when determining whether or not a the use of a copyrighted work is fair.

1. The purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes
2. The nature of the copyrighted work
3. The amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole
4. The effect of the use upon the potential market for, or value of, the copyrighted work

Here are a few Internet tips from a University of Maryland article regarding Copyright and Fair Use:

• Always credit the source of your information
• Find out if the author of the works provides information on how to use his or her work (explicit guidelines)
• Whenever feasible, ask the owner of the copyright for permission, and keep a copy of your exchanges of request and permission.

Other sources that are helpful in understanding copyright violations and fair use:

- PBS Teachers-
Copyright & Fair Use
(http://www.pbs.org/teachers/copyright/)

-Stanford University Libraries:
Copyright & Fair Use
(http://fairuse.stanford.edu/)