Copyright Guidelines - Omaha Public Schools

Always cite the source when using any copyrighted material.

ACCEPTABLE

A teacher may make enough copies of a single graphic/picture from a book, an internet site, or other source for each of the students in the class when its use supports the current lesson

A teacher may make a copy of a book jacket for display to promote books owned by the library

Teachers may use clip art from sources that are owned individually or by the district, or downloaded from free clip art Internet web sites

UNACCEPTABLE

It is not permissable for cartoon characters to be copied or altered in any way without permission from the copyright holder. If it looks like Tigger, it is Tigger.

It is not permissable to download copies of book jackets from the internet for display on a school web site or bulletin board without permission from the copyright holder.

It is not permissible to copy or alter in any way graphics/pictures from coloring books, greeting cards, etc. without permission from the copyright holder.

Always cite the source when using any copyrighted material.

ACCEPTABLE

Students and teachers may download images for classroom projects or lessons, using amounts specified in the Fair Use Guidelines.

Audio and video clips may be downloaded by students and teachers for use in multimedia projects. (10% or 30 seconds of a music composition or 10% or 3 minutes of a video)

A teacher may post links on school or individual web sites to information on the internet

A teacher may re-post material from the Internet on a school web site IF the materials are only accessible to the students for which they are intended, the material supports the current curriculum and the amounts used qualifies under the Fair Use guidelines.

UNACCEPTABLE

It is not permissible to download copies of book jackets for display on a school web site or bulletin boards without permission from the copyright holder.

It is not permissible to re-post information from the Internet without permission of the web site creator.

Always cite the source when using any copyrighted material.

ACCEPTABLE

A multimedia project directly connected to the current curriculum may contain a video/movie/television clip of up to 10% or 3 minutes of an individual program

A multimeda project directly connected to the current curriculum may contain a music clip (lyrics or music video) of up to 10% or 30 seconds from a single work.

A multimedia project directly connected to the current curriculum may contain up to 5 images of a single artist and no more than 10% or 15 images from a collective work.

Two copies can be made of a multimedia project - each person involved in creating the project may also have their own copy. If A teacher-created project using copyrighted materials may be retained for two years and displayed at workshops or conferences. A student-created project may be retained by the student indefinitely.

UNACCEPTABLE

A student project may not be posted on a web site or otherwise put on public display, unless permission is obtained from the student and parent and owner of any copyrighted material.

Audio or video in one format may not be copied onto another format without permision from the copyright holder.. This would include, but not be limited to, copying a video to DVD, taping or filming a book reading, transferring content from a phonograph record to an audiotape or CD-ROM and editing or altering content.

Always cite the source when using any copyrighted material.

ACCEPTABLE

A teacher may make an emergency copy of a piece of sheet music if a purchased copy will not be available in time for a performance. The emergency copy must be replaced by a purchased copy.

A student may use music as part of a classroom project from CDs, tapes, or downloads, as long as the amount used is 30 seconds or no than 10% of the original piece (Fair Use Guidelines)

UNACCEPTABLE

It is not permissible to copy printed music to avoid purchasing legal copies

It is not permissible make copies of "consumables" (workbook, test, worksheet, etc.)

Music may not be downloaded, recorded, included in a power-point, or played on a "boom box" or PA system as background during any activity that is not part of a classroom lesson. (examples would include but not be limited to: awards programs, banquets, meetings, or background music in the classroom.)

It is not permissible to re-record music clips from several sources onto one CD or tape to create a collection nor is it permissible to change the format without permission from the copyright holder. (i.e. transfer content from audiotape to CD-ROM, etc.)

Always cite the source when using any copyrighted material.

ACCEPTABLE

A classroom teacher may make one copy per student of materials to be used in teaching a lesson.

Amounts copied should comply with Fair Use Guidelines: 1 poem or except from a poem (250 words or less); an except from a book or other print materials (10% or 1000 words, which ever is less); or 2 pages or 10% of a picture book, which ever is less.

Only the classroom teacher will select the materials to be copied.

UNACCEPTABLE

It is not permissable to make copies of consumable materials: workbooks, work sheets, test booklets, etc. without permission from the copyright holder.

It is not permissable to make extra copies of materials to be used at a later date without permssion from the copyright holder.

A supervisor, principal, or other administrator may not direct a classroom teacher to make copies or supply those copies for use in the classroom without permssion from the copyright holder.

Always cite the source when using any copyrighted material.

ACCEPTABLE

A software program may be installed on as many computers as is allowed in the licensing agreement.

In general, only district purchased software may be installed on district computers.

UNACCEPTABLE

It is not permissible to allow licensed software to be made available on a website.

It is now permissible to install single-used software in a computer laboratory where it may be accessed by more than one user at a time.

Always cite the source when using any copyrighted material.

ACCEPTABLE

A teacher may show an "approved" video/dvd in the classroom that is directly connected to the current lesson being taught. An "approved" video/DVD is defined by the Omaha Public Schools as one that is available from an Omaha Public School Media Center.

A teacher may show all or part of a legally acquired "non-approved" video/DVD by submitting the "CURRICULUM MEDIA REQUEST FORM" for approval. These showings must also be directly linked to the current curriculum. The electronic form may be found on the OPS Home page under "Staff Links".

A video/DVD of a television program may be obtained by recording it, but only if the program is being broadcast by a channel that is receivable by a regular television antenna. If the channel is also being aired via cable, the tape may be made from the cable channel. There are limitations as to the number of times a recorded program may be shown and how long the tape may be retained outlined in the Fair Use Guidelines.

CURRICULUM & LEARNING PRACTICES & PROCEDURES FOR VIDEO & DIGITAL MEDIA USE

The OPS Board of Education has established the following policies and practices regarding the use of non-print media for teachers and staff:

Policies and Regulation of the Douglas County School District No. 001

Policy 3.21 a and b; Policy 6.22

Practices and Procedures, Douglas County School District No. 001

Utilization of textbooks, #4, page 28

Use of Non-Print Media fro Outside Sources, page 61

Responsibility for Selection of Media, page 62

Based upon copyright law and OPS policy and practices, the following guidelines should be used in determining appropriate use of all vides content (including DVD and streaming video).

The following types of video content may be used in the classroom in “face-to-face” instruction: (The requirements of “face-to-face” instruction include the teacher’s active engagement in instruction during viewing and documentation of the linkage to lesson objective in the lesson plan).

Instructional videos selected using the District’s selection criteria and purchased for the non-print collection of the school library media center. Full-length feature films are not to be included in the library collection.
Videos and DVDs obtained through the Media Technology Center collection or duplication services.
streaming media available through the District’s Learning Management System (LMS) or ESU subscription services.
Instructional programs recorded at the request of the teacher “off-air” from any broadcast channel that can be received via television antenna. o comply with copyright guidelines, the tape recording may be used by a teacher in the course of relevant teaching activities and repeated only once when instructional reinforcement is necessary, in the classroom, within ten (10) days after the broadcast. The recording may be kept no longer than forty-five (45) days before erasure. The record and erasure dates should be clearly labeled on the media. The recording may but be used in its entirety, but the recorded program must not be altered from its original contents. The recording may not be physically or electronically combined or merged to constitute a teaching anthology or compilation, and the tape recording must include the copyright notice on the broadcast program as recorded.

Please note the following:

Do not use programs taped from cable channels unless specific taping rights or written permission has been obtained from the copyright owner.
Rented or purchased legally-made copies of videos or streaming media can be used in the classroom by teachers if the program applies directly to instructional needs and is used in face-to-face instruction. The teacher must request permission, documenting the linkage between the media and the lesson objective, using the electronic permission form found on the OPS website. Permission should be requested a minimum of five days in advance of the desired date of use. In addition, it is recommended that excepts be used rather than the entire program.
Non-print media cannot legally be shown for entertainment or rewards unless the school has purchased public performance rights. This is a violation of copyright law and a poor use of instructional time.
Individuals, as well as the District, may be held liable for copyright infringement. Damages for copyright infringement can range from $750 to $30,000 per infringer and per work infringed. If the court decides the infringement was willful, damages can run as high as $150,000 per instance.

Updated July, 2008.

UNACCEPTABLE

It is not permissible to show a video/DVD for as a reward or for entertainment purposes in the classroom without permission from the copyright holder. District guidelines consider this as a "poor use of instructional time".

It is not permissible to record and show programs from cable television channels without permission from the copyright holder. These permissions will outline the number of times a recorded program may be shown and how long the tape may be retained.

Always cite the source when using any copyrighted material.

ACCEPTABLE

A teacher may show an "approved" video/dvd in the classroom that is directly connected to the current lesson being taught. An "approved" video/DVD is defined by the Omaha Public Schools as one that is available from an Omaha Public School Media Center.

A teacher may show all or part of a legally acquired "non-approved" video/DVD by submitting the "CURRICULUM MEDIA REQUEST FORM" for approval. These showings must also be directly linked to the current curriculum. The electronic form may be found on the OPS Home page under "Staff Links".

A video/DVD of a television program may be obtained by recording it, but only if the program is being broadcast by a channel that is receivable by a regular television antenna. If the channel is also being aired via cable, the tape may be made from the cable channel. There are limitations as to the number of times a recorded program may be shown and how long the tape may be retained outlined in the Fair Use Guidelines.

CURRICULUM & LEARNING PRACTICES & PROCEDURES FOR VIDEO & DIGITAL MEDIA USE

The OPS Board of Education has established the following policies and practices regarding the use of non-print media for teachers and staff:

Policies and Regulation of the Douglas County School District No. 001

Policy 3.21 a and b; Policy 6.22

Practices and Procedures, Douglas County School District No. 001

Utilization of textbooks, #4, page 28

Use of Non-Print Media fro Outside Sources, page 61

Responsibility for Selection of Media, page 62

Based upon copyright law and OPS policy and practices, the following guidelines should be used in determining appropriate use of all vides content (including DVD and streaming video).

The following types of video content may be used in the classroom in “face-to-face” instruction: (The requirements of “face-to-face” instruction include the teacher’s active engagement in instruction during viewing and documentation of the linkage to lesson objective in the lesson plan).

Instructional videos selected using the District’s selection criteria and purchased for the non-print collection of the school library media center. Full-length feature films are not to be included in the library collection.
Videos and DVDs obtained through the Media Technology Center collection or duplication services.
streaming media available through the District’s Learning Management System (LMS) or ESU subscription services.
Instructional programs recorded at the request of the teacher “off-air” from any broadcast channel that can be received via television antenna. o comply with copyright guidelines, the tape recording may be used by a teacher in the course of relevant teaching activities and repeated only once when instructional reinforcement is necessary, in the classroom, within ten (10) days after the broadcast. The recording may be kept no longer than forty-five (45) days before erasure. The record and erasure dates should be clearly labeled on the media. The recording may but be used in its entirety, but the recorded program must not be altered from its original contents. The recording may not be physically or electronically combined or merged to constitute a teaching anthology or compilation, and the tape recording must include the copyright notice on the broadcast program as recorded.

Please note the following:

Do not use programs taped from cable channels unless specific taping rights or written permission has been obtained from the copyright owner.
Rented or purchased legally-made copies of videos or streaming media can be used in the classroom by teachers if the program applies directly to instructional needs and is used in face-to-face instruction. The teacher must request permission, documenting the linkage between the media and the lesson objective, using the electronic permission form found on the OPS website. Permission should be requested a minimum of five days in advance of the desired date of use. In addition, it is recommended that excepts be used rather than the entire program.
Non-print media cannot legally be shown for entertainment or rewards unless the school has purchased public performance rights. This is a violation of copyright law and a poor use of instructional time.
Individuals, as well as the District, may be held liable for copyright infringement. Damages for copyright infringement can range from $750 to $30,000 per infringer and per work infringed. If the court decides the infringement was willful, damages can run as high as $150,000 per instance.

Updated July, 2008.

UNACCEPTABLE

It is not permissible to show a video/DVD for as a reward or for entertainment purposes in the classroom without permission from the copyright holder. District guidelines consider this as a "poor use of instructional time".

It is not permissible to record and show programs from cable television channels without permission from the copyright holder. These permissions will outline the number of times a recorded program may be shown and how long the tape may be retained.

Copyright Links

FORM: Copyright Fair Use Check List. On the Copyright Management Center, Indiana University web site @ http://www.copyright.iupui.edu/checklist.pdf

REFERENCE: Circular 21 - Guidelines for the U.S. Copyright office @ http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ21.pdf

REFERENCE: Copyrighted & Fair Use Guidelines from Stanford University @ http://fairuse.stanford.edu/

REFERENCE: Copyright guidelines for music from the National Association for Music Education (MENC)@http://www.menc.org/copyright/