Copyright Speaker

Copyright laws are a source of endless frustration and uncertainty. The more I study them, the more I realize I still have to learn. Jackie Pierson really helped to give me a glimpse at the areas where I need to focus. I had understood the basics of needing to cite works used as well as asking for permission if you are using longer clips from movies and songs. However, this meant little to me on a personal level, because I rarely used anything that would fall under copyright issues. Now I'm looking at being the overseer of an entire school so it makes me take note.

I have not been in a classroom, so I didn't realize how restricted even Fair Use guidelines are. Of course, I don't think most teachers actually realize this either. Ms. Pierson spoke multiple times of how important it is for us as librarians to instruct our teachers on these issues. I have never worked in a place that really took the time to do it. Most librarians I have seen try not to break copyright themselves, but choose to turn a blind eye toward teachers doing it. They may have a short presentation or even just a handout on the topic at the beginning of the year, but rarely follow up since the topic is so complicated. I guess it really takes a librarian that is well informed to have a staff that is well informed.

I found it very interesting that students have a lot more freedom in their school projects than teachers do (such as being able to use a whole song in their presentations.) I had no idea there were separate rules for faculty and students in the same classroom.

I really struggle with the internet copyright laws regarding linking to someone's website, but I figure that even the 2002 copyright update is probably well outdated when it comes to internet. I would still like to hear the reasoning behind including such a (almost unenforceable) stipulation. I've spent a lot of time discussing this topic since the presentation and I still can't find an answer that makes sense.

I'm not sure that any cheat-sheet will ever be able to really explain this topic to the depths that is necessary to really understand it. I think this is a lifelong learning issue where I will continue to find new information, loopholes, and crazy stipulations. Jackie Pierson's overview left me feeling a lot more informed than I would have expected, but I could probably earn a full degree with the amount of time it would take to really gain a full grasp on the subject. I really do have a new appreciation of Public Domain material, though!