Scanning Services > Scanning How-to Guide > Notes on Copyright and Fair Use

Notes on Copyright and Fair Use

U.S. Copyright law (Title 17 U.S. Code) and regulations issued by the Copyright Office govern the copying of copyrighted materials, including electronic information products and software. Copying from a copyrighted work, including printing, downloading, and scanning, may constitute an infringement of the law. Use of equipment or electronic products or software owned by the University of North Carolina in a manner inconsistent with copyright law and license agreements is strictly prohibited. The person using the equipment is liable for any infringement he or she commits. The full text of Title 17 is available at: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode17/usc_sup_01_17_10_1.html In particular, US Copyright law (Title 17 § 107. Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use) also discusses fair use, which allows for the copying of materials for academic and research purposes. "Frequently used by scholars, journalists, and librarians, the fair use provision permits the limited use of copyrighted scientific and artistic material to supplement or briefly illustrate oral or written commentary, literary or artistic criticism, or teaching materials. In determining that a use is fair, four factors must be considered:      (1) the purpose and character of the use -- whether it is commercial or nonprofit;      (2) the nature of the copyrighted material;      (3) the amount of the total work used; and      (4) the effect of the use upon the potential market -- whether or not the author is deprived of sales." Source: U.S. Department of State International Information Programs Web site U.S. Department of State Fact Sheet, Intellectual Property Rights Protection: A Glossary Available at: http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/econ/ipr/ipr-glossary.htm