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Copyright 101

Answers to common copyright questions asked by librarians and faculty

What is the Annual Copyright License?

Calvin University has an Annual Copyright License from the Copyright Clearance Center. This license covers a large catalog of text-based, copyrighted materials and includes important reproduction and distribution rights for the campus community. Because it provides institution-wide coverage for a large number of titles, the Annual Copyright License is designed to help save faculty and staff members' time, support learning and research, and ensure that the college is in compliance with copyright law.

How to check if a title is covered by the license

To see if a title is covered by Calvin's Annual Copyright License with the Copyright Clearance Center (CCC),

  1. Go to the RightFind Academic search page and set up a free account.
  2. Enter the title of the periodical or book. You may also search by ISSN or ISBN.
    Note: for articles, be sure to search for the title of the periodical, not the title of the article.  
  3. On the search results page, find the publication title.
  4. Note: the most frequently-requested titles are listed first.  
  5. When you find the correct publication title, look in the "Annual License Holders" box on the right.
  6. If "Academic License - Digital/Print" has a green check mark next to it, faculty may use the title in their course materials or share it with others at Calvin. They may continue to use the material for the duration of the license agreement.
  7. If  you see the word "Terms" under Academic License - Digital/Print, check to see what terms the publisher has placed on this item. Some include:
    • "Permission for this title varies by date"
      Enter the publication year and then click on the "Annual License Options" tab to see if the year is covered.
    • "Public Domain"
      If a title is in the public domain, then it may be freely shared or distributed.

Covered by the CCC license?

Yes No

Course reserves

The reproduction of all or substantially all of a work
Postings in Moodle or Canvas The right to use, manipulate, or change a copyrighted work so that it does not substantially resemble the original
Coursepacks The right to use a work for advertising or promotion
Class handouts The right to create a database or collection, except one created for an individual academic course or for a small group of employees or students

Email among Calvin faculty, staff, and students

 The right to distribute copyright-protected works to anyone other than a Calvin employee or student, unless that person is collaborating on a research project sponsored by the university.
Research collaboration among Calvin students, faculty, and staff, as well as collaboration with outsiders on a research project sponsored by or recognized by Calvin

Interlibrary loan borrowing or lending

 
Administrative communications

Usage rights for audio, video, and images

Note: photographs and images included in a covered work may be shared but only in the context of the work.