3600 Copyright and the Right of Fair Use

Original Date: 11/5/1996 * Last Revision Effective: 1/8/20
Policy Contact: Dean, Library Media Center

Policy

Bellevue College expects all students, faculty, and staff members to comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws governing copyrighted materials, which grant authors, publishers, and creators control over the copying, distribution, transmission, and performance of their original works (Copyright Law of the United States, Title 17, U.S. Code, Sections 101-122).

The college facilitates the good faith exercise of fair use rights by faculty, staff, and students to further their teaching, research, learning, and service activities. The college will:

  • Inform all students and employees about their fair use rights, the application of the four factors governing those rights set forth in Title 17, Section 107, of the U.S. Code, and the allowed exceptions for reproductions and distribution of material in specialized formats for the use of persons with disabilities (Section 121);
  • Develop and make available through the Bellevue College Copyright Officer appropriate resources concerning fair use and intellectual property laws generally and the application of fair use in specific situations;
  • Avoid, whenever possible, adopting or supporting policies or agreements that would restrict fair use rights.

This policy applies to all Bellevue College employees, students, and non-employees who may be authorized to use state resources at any Bellevue College facility. The principles of this policy extend to, and include, any use of Bellevue College resources, regardless of its location.

Responsibilities

Bellevue College designates the chief administrator of the library media center as the copyright officer. The copyright officer exercises general copyright and fair use oversight and assures that information and guidelines are available via the Bellevue College website. The copyright officer serves as the final authority in cases of denials of requests to duplicate or transmit copyrighted materials.

Relevant Laws and Other Resources

Copyright Law of the United States, Title 17, U.S. Code

Bellevue College Library Media Center Copyright and Fair Use Guide

Bellevue College Policy #2900, Digital Copyright Safeguards for Students

Bellevue College #2900P, Digital Copyright Safeguards for Students (Procedures)

Bellevue College Policy #5100, Software Licensing Compliance

Bellevue College #5100P, Software Licensing Compliance (Procedures)

Revision History

Original 11/5/1996
Revisions 11/18/2003; 5/10/2005; 5/21/2009; 9/11/2012; 4/7/2015; 10/15/2016; 1/8/20

Approved By

Board of Trustees

Last Updated March 5, 2024