US copyright law is directly tied to how libraries provide information to their users.

General Copyright Information

• US Copyright Office – The world’s largest database of  copyrighted works and copyright information services.
• Copyright Information Site
• ALA Copyright Resources
• Copyright and Fair Use Animation

Fair Use

Fair Use permits limited use of copyrighted works. Here are some tools that may help you determine what is fair use.

• U.S. Copyright Office Fair Use Index
• Understanding Fair Use (U. Minnesota Libraries)
• Fair Use Quiz
• Fair Use Evaluator
• Copyright Genie
• Exceptions for Instructors
• Section 108

First Sale

First Sale allows libraries to purchase and lend out printed materials. These resources help explain the First Sale Doctrine

• The First Sale Doctrine in the Era of Digital Networks

Creative Commons

Creative Commons licenses allows libraries and users to decide when and how their content is used and shared.

• Creative Commons and Copyright – An overview of how Creative Commons works
• A Shared Culture – A video explaining the goals of Creative Commons.
• Public Domain versus Creative Commons