Copyright Guide for DVC Faculty

Section 110(1) of the Copyright Law (The Classroom Exception) makes special provision for displaying images, playing motion pictures or sound recordings, or performing works in face-to-face classes.

You may display an image or play an audio or video recording in your class without obtaining permission when your use is:

• for instructional purposes;
• in face-to-face teaching; and
• at a nonprofit educational institution.

If you don’t meet all three of these criteria, consider whether fair use may apply.

Credit: https://libguides.sjsu.edu/canvas/fairuse 

Section 110(2) of the Copyright Law (The TEACH Act) specifically applies to displaying images, playing motion pictures or sound recordings, or performing works in your online class.

Generally, to display an image or play an audio or video recording in your online class the work must be:

• used under your supervision as part of the class session
• as part of systematic mediated instructional activities
• directly and materially related to the teaching content

Furthermore, there are three additional requirements:

• You must password protect or otherwise restrict access to your online class Web site to enrolled students, and
• You must reasonably prevent your students from being able to save or print the work (“downstream” uses), and
• You must include a general copyright warning on your course page.

Interactive guide to using copyrighted audio, video, and images in your courses.