Copyright Information for Faculty

Copyright is a form of protection provided by U.S. law, Title 17, U.S. Code, to authors of original works, including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works. Library reserve collections are viewed as extensions of the classroom and reflect a student's individual right to copy for his personal use under the fair use doctrine.

Copyright Permission

• The faculty member bears the legal responsibility for complying with copyright laws and obtaining copyright permission from the copyright owner. The faculty member must sign the reserve form verifying compliance with copyright law.

• The faculty member keeps the written permission for the life of the permission. The library reserves the right to view the permission upon request.

• Individuals are liable for their own copyright infringements and the university may also be liable. Copyright owners have sued individuals and may sue the Libraries or University as well.

• VCU Libraries reserves the right to refuse to place any materials on reserves or to remove reserve material if we believe the material:
  • Is in violation of copyright law.
  • The instructor does not have permission from the copyright holder for materials that fall outside the realm of fair use.