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Fair Use in Local Educational Settings

Understanding and Applying Fair Use in Tippecanoe County Schools

What is Fair Use?

  • Definition: Fair use is a legal doctrine that allows limited use of copyrighted material without requiring permission from the rights holders. This includes uses for commentary, criticism, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.
  • Key Factors:
    1. Purpose and Character: Non-commercial, educational purposes are more likely to be considered fair use.
    2. Nature of the Work: Use of factual works is more likely to be fair use than fictional works.
    3. Amount Used: Using small portions of a work is more likely to be fair use.
    4. Effect on Market Value: If the use doesn’t significantly impact the market value of the original work, it is more likely to be considered fair use.

Local Stories and Cases

Case 1: Using Historical Documents in Class

Story: At Jefferson High School in Lafayette, history teacher Mrs. Susan Thompson wanted to enrich her lesson on the Civil Rights Movement. She used excerpts from historical documents and speeches, ensuring to attribute the sources.

Outcome: The use of these materials fell under fair use, as they were used for educational purposes, involved small portions of the works, and did not affect the market value of the original documents. Students benefited from access to authentic historical texts, enhancing their learning experience.

Quote: “Incorporating primary sources brings history to life for my students. Understanding fair use allows me to use these resources legally and effectively,” said Mrs. Susan Thompson.

Contact Information:

  • Teacher: Susan Thompson
  • Email: sthompson@jeffersonhigh.edu
  • Phone: (765) 123-4567
  • School: Jefferson High School, Lafayette, IN

Case 2: Music Clips for School Performances

Story: At West Lafayette Elementary School, music teacher Mr. Tom Andrews prepared a school performance featuring short clips of various musical pieces. He used these clips to teach students about different genres and styles of music.

Outcome: Mr. Andrews’ use of music clips was considered fair use because it was for educational purposes, involved only short clips, and did not affect the commercial market for the music. The performance was a success, and students gained a broader appreciation for diverse musical styles.

Quote: “Using short music clips in class performances helps students learn in an engaging way while staying within the bounds of fair use,” said Mr. Tom Andrews.

Contact Information:

  • Teacher: Tom Andrews
  • Email: tandrews@westlafayetteelem.edu
  • Phone: (765) 234-5678
  • School: West Lafayette Elementary School, West Lafayette, IN

Case 3: Educational Presentations with Images

Story: Ms. Emily Carter, a kindergarten teacher at Happy Days Preschool, used images from books and websites in her educational presentations. She ensured that all images used were properly attributed and only used in a non-commercial, educational context.

Outcome: Ms. Carter’s use of images was deemed fair use as it was for educational purposes, used only a portion of the works, and did not affect the market value of the original images. Her presentations captivated the students’ interest, making learning more interactive and fun.

Quote: “Fair use allows me to use engaging visuals in my lessons, making abstract concepts more concrete for young learners,” said Ms. Emily Carter.

Contact Information:

  • Teacher: Emily Carter
  • Email: ecarter@happydayspreschool.edu
  • Phone: (765) 345-6789
  • School: Happy Days Preschool, Lafayette, IN

Case 4: Film Clips for Literature Analysis

Story: Mr. Robert King, an English teacher at Tippecanoe High School, used short film clips to compare and contrast with the novels his students were reading. These clips provided a visual aid to better understand the themes and characters in the books.

Outcome: The use of film clips was considered fair use due to its educational purpose, limited amount used, and minimal impact on the market value of the films. Students were able to engage more deeply with the literary material through visual representation.

Quote: “Using film clips in my literature classes helps students make connections between the text and visual interpretations, enriching their analysis,” said Mr. Robert King.

Contact Information:

  • Teacher: Robert King
  • Email: rking@tippecanoehigh.edu
  • Phone: (765) 456-7890
  • School: Tippecanoe High School, West Lafayette, IN

FAQs on Fair Use

Q1: How much of a work can I use under fair use?

  • A1: There is no specific amount that is considered safe under fair use, but using small portions that do not affect the market value of the original work is more likely to be fair use.

Q2: Can I use copyrighted material for all my school projects?

  • A2: It depends on the purpose, amount, and impact on the market value. Non-commercial, educational purposes are more likely to be considered fair use.

Q3: Do I need to attribute the sources when using them under fair use?

  • A3: Yes, proper attribution is important even when using materials under fair use.

Q4: Can I make copies of an entire book for my class?

  • A4: Generally, copying an entire book would not be considered fair use. Using small excerpts with proper attribution is more likely to fall under fair use.