Skip to Main Content

Copyright: Can I use this?

Copyright Resources

Using someone else's Text

Is the text in the public domain?	Works published before 1923 are public domain. Works published between 1923 and 1977 are public domain if there is no copyright notice OR copyright was not renewed.
Is the text licensed under a Creative Commons license?	Check the copyright notice to see if the work was licensed using Creative Commons. Be sure to adhere to all stipulations pertaining to any applicable CC licenses.
Do you have permission from the copyright holder?	Permission from the author is not acceptable if the publisher is the copyright holder.
Could you argue Fair Use?	What is your purpose for using the work? What is the nature of the work? How much of the work are you using? A paragraph? A chapter? Are you using the work to make a profit or avoid paying the author/publisher? (Example: Are you distributing a textbook to alleviate the financial burden on students?)
Classroom examples from University of Rhode Island libraries.

Using someone else's Imagery

Is the image in the public domain?	Works published before 1923 are public domain. Works published between 1923 and 1977 are public domain if there is no copyright notice OR copyright was not renewed.
Is the image licensed under a Creative Commons license?	Check the copyright notice to see if the work was licensed using Creative Commons. Be sure to adhere to all stipulations pertaining to any applicable CC licenses.
Do you have permission from the copyright holder?	Purchasing a print does not grant permission to use the image. Clients or publications may own the copyright to photographers' or digital artists' work. Does the image depict other copyrighted work, especially photographs?
Could you argue Fair Use?	What is your purpose for using the work? What is the nature of the work? How much of the work are you using? Are you using the work to make a profit or avoid paying the artist/publisher?
Classroom examples from University of Rhode Island libraries.

Using someone else's Music

Is the music in the public domain?	Printed music published before 1923 is public domain. Printed music published between 1923-1977 is likely copyrighted for 95 years, depending on whether the copyright was renewed. Sound recordings, regardless of age, are more than likely not public domain.
Is the music licensed under a Creative Commons license?	Check the copyright notice to see if the work was licensed using Creative Commons. Be sure to adhere to all stipulations pertaining to any applicable CC licenses. Many works uploaded to digital indie platforms (SoundCloud, Bandcamp, Musescore, etc.) are CC licensed.
Do you have permission from the copyright holder?	Dramatic works require grand rights. Purchasing scores is not enough. Derivative works (arrangements, orchestrations and reductions, etc.) of public domain works are still protected by copyright. Permission from the composer is not acceptable if the publisher is the copyright holder.
Could you argue Fair Use?	What is your purpose for using the work? What is the nature of the work? How much of the work are you using? A single movement? A page to alleviate a bad page turn? Are you using the work to make a profit or avoid paying the composer/publisher? Are you playing a copyrighted recording as a reference in a non-profit educational setting?
Classroom examples from University of Rhode Island libraries.

Using someone else's Video

Is the video in the public domain?	Works published before 1923 are public domain Works published between 1923 and 1977 are public domain if there is no copyright notice OR copyright was not renewed
Is the image licensed under a Creative Commons license?	Check the copyright notice to see if the work was licensed using Creative Commons Digital video platforms such as YouTube allow for uploaded videos to be licensed with CC licenses. Be sure to adhere to all stipulations pertaining to any applicable CC licenses.
Do you have permission from the copyright holder?	Purchasing a video or film does not grant rights for public "performance". If you are streaming video content, what is the publisher's stance?
Could you argue Fair Use?	What is your purpose for using the work? What is the nature of the work? How much of the work are you using? Are you using the work to make a profit or avoid paying the creators/studio?
Classroom examples from University of Rhode Island libraries.

Ask a Librarian

Library Mission

Contact

+1 (803) 648-6851

Emergency (Police)

6111 / 803-648-4011

Directories Give to USC Aiken

Quick Links

Follow USC Aiken