Understanding Copyright
We've all seen the copyright symbol lurking in the corner of a paper or the footer of a website, but what exactly is copyright and how do you get it for your own work? What does it mean when something is under copyright, and how does that affect your teaching and scholarship? This guide aims to help you get started in untangling these questions. This page is not intended to serve as a substitute for independent legal advice, but can give you some tools to make more informed decisions about using copyrighted materials, and help you to make choices about what you want to do with your own work.
Note: Most of the content in this guide is geared toward U.S. copyright law. For more information on international copyright law, see this page.
Copyright Support and Education: Create or Use Copyrighted Works
What Support is Offered?
- Workshops on topics such as: understanding copyright, academic publishing and author's rights, fair use, investigating the rights-status of a creative work, creative commons licenses, and finding open access content
- Customized presentations / trainings for individuals, group sessions, or in the classroom
- Consultations
- Office hours on copyright and information policy issues
- Resource referrals
Do you have something particular in mind, or are you not sure where to start? You can connect with your departmental Library Subject Specialist (arranged alphabetically by subject), or seek a referral by emailing copyright@upenn.libanswers.com. For a list of current workshops and trainings please see the list available at this link.
Copyright support and the associated copyright LibGuides are for educational purposes only, and are not intended to serve as legal advice. If you need personal legal advice or representation on matters unrelated to university business, you may be able to obtain information and/or assistance from the resources listed below:
- The Philadelphia Bar Association Lawyer Referral and Information Service
- (215) 238-6333
- Community Legal Services
- (215) 981-3700
- The Philadelphia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
- (215) 790-3836 ext. 1
Disclaimer
Copyright events
Requests for Permission
Requests for permission to use in-copyright content owned by the University of Pennsylvania, or the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania is not addressed in this guide or through these services. Requests to license in-copyright works owned by the University are fielded by The Penn Center for Innovation or the individual school, or school center that is the copyright-holder.