Middle Link

Internet Safety

Intellectual Property, Copyright and Fair Use Unit

Introduction and Essential Information

In today’s global use of fast-paced communication and ever changing technology, students require adult guidance and direction in how to use technology ethically and responsibly.

Copyright ownership occurs immediately as soon as a new idea, image, document or piece of media is completed. It is essential to give credit to the original creator by citing the source, thus avoiding plagiarism even when a document is simply revised or paraphrased. “Cut and Paste” without citing the source is a common infraction when students are in a hurry or out of time.

It is the responsibility of every teacher to teach the simple skills of quoting, paraphrasing and summarizing followed by an accurate bibliography when a research paper or project is assigned.

Vocabulary

Copyright – the owner has control of what can be done with their intellectual property

Fair Use – exceptions and limitations to copyright law that allow the pubic to use portions of copyrighted material

Hacking– accessing someone’s computer without permission regardless of the activity or intent

Intellectual Property – original work protected by copyright law

Piracy – term used when music, movies and software are copied and “burned” illegally

Plagiarism– “stealing” someone else’s work and pretending it’s yours

Public Domain – materials that are not protected by copyright law that can be used by the public without permission or payment

Have questions? Need more information? Wendy Leseman Hanshew Middle School Librarian leseman_wendy@asdk12.org 907-267-0207