Checklist for Using Works in Teaching without Permission or Fee

Often you can use works in your teaching without permission or fee. This page highlights some of those situations. However, there are other circumstances where permission and/or fee are required (for example, when some types of works are included in course packs). check with your institution's library or legal office for information about campus copyright policies.

Legal Status of Work to be Used: Works Not Copyrighted

Public Domain Works:

US Govt. and pre-1923 works, and certain other works)

Proposed Use

  • Exhibit materials in a live classroom? YES
  • Post materials to an online class? YES
  • Distribute readings? YES
  • Create electronic reserves? YES

Legal Status of Work to be Used : Copyrighted Works

Your Own Works

(If you kept copyright or reserved use rights)

  • Exhibit materials in a live classroom:? YES
  • Post materials to an online class? YES
  • Distribute readings? YES
  • Create electronic reserves? YES

Open Access Works

(works available online without license, password, or technical restrictions)

  • Exhibit materials in a live classroom? YES
  • Post materials to an online class? LINK
  • Distribute readings? LINK
  • Create electronic reserves? LINK

Electronic Works Licensed by Your Institution

(depends on license, but usually permitted)

  • Exhibit materials in a live classroom? YES
  • Post materials to an online class? LINK
  • Distribute readings? LINK (Most licenses also allow students to make an individual copy.)
  • Create electronic reserves? LINK

Electronic Works with a Creative commons License

(depends on license, but usually permitted; if not, LINK)

  • Exhibit materials in a live classroom? YES
  • Post materials to an online class? YES
  • Distribute readings? YES
  • Create electronic reserves? YES

Other Works

(when none of above apply)

  • Exhibit materials in a live classroom? YES
  • Post materials to an online class? YES, if meets either TEACH Act or Fair Use standards. If not, LINK or seek permission.
  • Distribute readings? YES, if meets Fair Use standards. If not, LINK or seek permission.
  • Create electronic reserves? YES, if meets Fair Use standards. If not, LINK or seek permission.