Copyright Materials

What is copyright?

Copyright Basics <pdf> from the U.S. Copyright Office

Copyright Basics from the CUNY Office of General Counsel <pdf> (presentation)

Copyright Act - complete text of the Title 17 of the U.S. Code

U.S. Copyright Office web site

How long does copyright last?

Chart: When Works Pass Into the Public Domain, by Laura N. Gasaway, North Carolina State University

Chart: Copyright Term and the Public Domain in the United States, by Peter Hirtle, Cornell University

Do I need permission to use the work of another?

Q & A prepared by the CUNY Office of General Counsel, including information about fair use and sample request for permission forms

Using Copyrighted Works in Your Teaching - FAQ, by Peggy Hoon, JD, Visiting Scholar for Campus Copyright and Intellectual Property, Association of Research Libraries

Who owns works created at CUNY?

CUNY Intellectual Property Policy <pdf>

How do I register my work?

A work does not have to be registered with the Copyright Office in order to be protected by the Copyright Law, but there are advantages, such as the right to statutory damages and attorneys fees if your work is infringed. The Copyright Office's Registration page has information and forms.

Other copyright resources at CUNY

(C)opyright @ CUNY - Libraries - CUNY

Copyright resources at other universities

• Columbia University Copyright Advisory Office
• North Carolina State University Libraries Copyright Tutorials
• Stanford University Libraries Copyright & Fair Use Page
• University of Texas System Crash Course in Copyright
• University of Washington Libraries Copyright Information for Educators