Various legal methods, such as copyright, trade secret, and patent law, protect proprietary rights in computer software. Users of this software must respect these rights or face infringement lawsuits. (TE)

Discusses how convergence of communication technologies, computers, and broadcast media has given birth to cyberspace challenges to many traditional jurisprudential assumptions, based until now on two-dimensional models of physical presence and space. Discusses legal issues raised by the Internet in areas such as the appropriateness of regulation,…

The problem of unauthorized computer software duplication impedes the production of upgraded products by software developers, who find thousands of illegal computer program copies have been made by customers who either innocently believe they are doing nothing wrong, or simply choose to ignore the law. Unauthorized duplication and use of software…

This paper presents findings of a study that investigated teachers' attitudes toward current copyright law and school copyright policies. Data were collected from a survey of 140 teachers in Binghamton, New York. A total of 60 teachers responded, a 43 percent response rate. Interviews were also conducted with administrators in eight other school…

Addresses questions about the copyright on educational media, covering the provisions of the Copyright Act of 1978, guidelines for off-the-air recording, information on the Copyright Royalty Tribunal, new technological copying concerns, and suggestions for community college procedures related to the use of copyrighted materials. (AYC)

At the end of the two-year term of the first licenses for performance of music copyrighted under the new copyright law, the "model" licenses are being reconsidered. Considered here is whether an institution should sign a model license, or any other license, based on reference to the law itself. (MSE)

Educators today have access to technologies that provide both new information sources and new methods of copying, adapting, and transporting information into the classroom. The purpose of this article is to help educators properly interpret and apply copyright law to the use of video as an instructional tool. (38 footnotes) (MLF)

This article presents an overview of the laws governing the use of computer software, along with an outline of precautions school districts should take to reduce the potential for liability. In 1964 the U.S. Copyright Office began to register software as a form of literary expression. This was followed by the Software Rental Amendments Act, which…

Reviews copyright legislation; presents guidelines that should be used to determine whether educators' copying procedures or policies are in keeping with the copyright laws. Presents two scenarios wherein teachers are reproducing works for their classes and provides case law citations. (MLF)

Selected legal problem areas for sectarian and nonsectarian private schools that have generated substantial litigation and frequent questions from nonpublic school administrators and faculty are discussed. Major topic headings include tort liability, constraints on student and faculty discipline, governing board liability, governmental regulation…

Chapter 20 of a book on school law provides guidelines for school access to copyrighted materials. The 1976 copyright law, which became effective January 1, 1978, abolished common law copyright and established a single federal system. Certain sections of the law under the judicial doctrine of fair use are subject to exceptions that are of benefit…

Chaska High School (Minnesota) established a firm district policy to prevent unauthorized, illegal duplication of computer software by teachers and students. The policy's success depends on an ethics re-education program for users, increased funding for software, and a preview library for teachers. (MLH)

The school principal has an affirmative duty to be informed and to fully inform those under his or her supervision regarding the use of copyright. The present Copyright Law of 1978 and its key guidelines are reviewed in this paper, with a focus on the copyright law as it applies to computer software programs, videotaping, and photocopy.…

Materials on intellectual property are presented to help university research administrators negotiate and administer sponsored research agreements. The nine units cover: patents and patent rights, patent rights under government contracts, university patent policies and practices, patent clauses in industrial research agreements, patent licensing…

With the many changes in technology since the Copyright Act was passed, following that law has become increasingly complex. Educators need to understand the law, and how to apply it in various situations. This fastback addresses some of the key issues of copyright law with particular attention to new technologies. After a brief history of the…