Do+the+rules+apply+to+students?

Copyright for CCPS Educators

 * Do the same rules apply to students?**

When it comes to copyrighted materials, students have far more latitude than teachers

Fair Use recognizes that students need to be able to use materials for their school projects. Students need exposure to, and practice with, intellectual property in order to grow and learn. They are also not likely to be part of a market for educational products.

Many students cannnot produce their own detailed graphics and will need to photocopy pictures from reference books or download graphics from the Internet in order to enhance their school projects. As long as the audience for the project remains within the school (the teacher, hallway displays, etc.), then a student may legally copy things that a teacher may not.

However, if the project will be entered into a contest or posted on the Internet and so reach an audience beyond the school, then Fair Use does not apply and the student must abide by copyright law by seeking permission to use.

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