Copyright in the Library
Course
Understanding Licensing Agreements [4:24]
https://players.brightcove.net/2566261579001/HyuWsfFhb_default/index.html?videoId=6251330665001
About
- Learn the differences between licensing agreements and copyright.
- Learn to understand licensing needs for schools as well as libraries.
- Learn strategies for reading a license agreement.
Transcript
As a review, copyright requires users to ask for permission, and fair use allows users more leeway in using copyrighted works in certain situations. License agreements, on the other hand, can be a lot more strict and specific. In most cases, fair use rights are lost when signing a licensing agreement. Instead of transferring ownership of the material to you, like owning a book, licensing agreements typically outline what their content can be used for, as well as how long a user can access their information. In the digital world, these are known as the Terms of Use, the little box we have to check when signing up for an account on a website or online streaming service. Licensing agreements supersede any copyright their information may have. So what do licensing agreements have to do with schools and their libraries?
The school librarian has the responsibility to educate staff and administration about all components related to copyright, including the restrictions listed in licensing agreements. These agreements may include who is the ultimate owner of the information, how they will protect user privacy, and how long the license is for. Librarians and teachers should check licensing agreements before showing a film in class on DVD or from a streaming service. If you have music classes at your school, check with them to ensure they understand the licensing agreements that come with the music they purchase. Also, most database and website subscriptions include licensing agreements, as well. What should a librarian look for in a license agreement before signing it?
Before purchasing a service, database, or subscription, always be sure to read the license agreement. Many components of a license agreement can help determine whether the product will meet the needs of your community. First, decide what the product will be used for, and be sure the license allows you to use the product for those reasons. Look to see who retains the rights to the information. Sometimes websites that allow students to upload their work will state that they own the rights to anything uploaded to their site. Based on the size of your school and budget, determine whether the price for using the product is feasible. If you are still unsure, consult a trusted librarian colleague, library supervisor, or your school district's lawyer.
Licensing agreements have become more popular in today's digital world of information. They can be tricky to understand what you are getting for the price you are paying. Their guidelines need to be explained to administrators and teachers, just like copyright and fair use. Databases, videos, websites, and streaming services all have licensing agreements. Be sure you read the agreement carefully before purchase or if you have questions about how to use its content. When in doubt, ask a colleague or consult a lawyer for additional guidance.
Activities
Determining copyright of print books and materials is usually as easy as looking at the copyright page. What happens when there is no copyright page? How do you determine if you can use online materials in your classroom? Reviewing terms of use and licensing agreements will guide you to know the rights you have as a user. Review the SLC articles below and complete the Reflect & Practice exercise below.
Copyright.com. The Campus Guide to Copyright Compliance. "Using Content: Digital Content." https://www.copyright.com/Services/copyrightoncampus/content/digital.html
Websites do not come with copyright pages and often it takes a few clicks to figure out who owns the material you're looking at. It is crucial to protect yourself using digital content by reviewing the licensing agreement or terms of use. After reviewing the Resources above and learning more about using digital content, how can you guide your students and staff to understand their rights in using digital content? Can teachers find worksheets online and distribute them to their class? Can a student include a movie clip in their YouTube project? Using page 7 of the Course Packet (found in the Resources above), create a list of guidelines for student and staff websites that are commonly used in the library or classroom.
Entry ID: 2269935
License agreements for websites, databases, and streaming services can be tricky. It is important for librarians to know what these agreements say in order to best support and protect their school community. In this activity, explore license agreements in more detail.
A subscription database or website your students and teachers already use, such as Canva, Piktochart, Prezi, or a subject database, like ABC-CLIO's American History.
Choose a subscription database or website listed in the Resources section. Locate the Terms of Use or Privacy Policy and identify its policies on student use, who owns the information on the website, and what the website does to protect user information. Using page 8 in the Course Packet (found in the Resources above), identify parts of the agreement that surprise you or may change your usage of the site.
Entry ID: 2269700
Additional Resources
About the Author
Select Citation Style:
MLA Citation
Grover, Rachel. "Copyright in the Library. Understanding Licensing Agreements [4:24]." School Library Connection, ABC-CLIO, October 2021, schoollibraryconnection.com/content/course/2264098?learningModuleId=2264095&topicCenterId=2247902.
Chicago Citation
Grover, Rachel. "Copyright in the Library. Understanding Licensing Agreements [4:24]." School Library Connection video. October 2021. https://schoollibraryconnection.com/content/course/2264098?learningModuleId=2264095&topicCenterId=2247902.
APA Citation
Grover, R. (2021, October). Copyright in the library. Understanding licensing agreements [4:24] [Video]. School Library Connection. https://schoollibraryconnection.com/content/course/2264098?learningModuleId=2264095&topicCenterId=2247902
https://schoollibraryconnection.com/content/course/2264098?learningModuleId=2264095&topicCenterId=2247902
Entry ID: 2264098