Copyright Resources

United States Code, Chapter 17
(From the Legal Information Institute of the Cornell Law School)
The entire U.S. Code, in a searchable format.

When U.S. Works Pass Into the Public Domain
(From Lolly Gassaway at University of North Carolina)
Contains a regularly updated chart of when different works from different time periods become public property.

Tips for Requesting Permission to Use Copyrighted Literary Works
(From the Association of American Publishers)

Copyright, Fair Use, & Educational Multimedia FAQ
(From Hampden-Sydney College)
Uses a table to explain what percentages of different kinds of works may be permissible as fair use.
(Scroll down page to view table)

Fair Use of Copyrighted Materials
(From the Office of General Counsel of the University of Texas System)
An overview of the entire issue, written in everyday English.

The FACE Kids Site
(From the Copyright Society of the U.S.A.)
This website is geared toward teaching school-aged children about copyright.
The site puts this confusing subject into a fun format.

Frequently Asked Questions about Copyright – Registering a Work
(From the U. S. Copyright Offices)

Copyright and Fair Use
(From Stanford University Libraries)
A well-organized site that offers a wide variety of resources on the topic of Fair Use.