How To Use Others’ Materials

Throughout your academic and professional career you will regularly create documents and other resources that incorporate the work of others. Copyright law automatically allows you to use others’ work in some ways and requires you to get permission to use it in other ways.

Familiarity with this copyright system will allow you to take advantage of existing resources while complying with the law. Start with a general understanding of copyright basics and recognizing work that is already in the public domain.

You may use someone else’s copyrighted material if:

• the work is associated with a license that permits your use (eg: Creative Commons licenses)
• your particular use qualifies as a fair use
• you have explicit permission for your use
• there’s another exception to copyright that permits your use

Need assistance with navigating copyright and reuse?

• Contact Carrie Nelson