Copyright and Fair Use: Distance Education

Dr. Kenneth Crews, a leading expert in applying copyright in education, has written on the dangers of relying on simple guidelines instead of using the four factors of fair use in distance education. Instructors may safely use materials in distance education under these conditions:

• Materials are in the public domain
• Instructor has obtained permission from the copyright holder
• Instructor has evaluated the four factors and determined fair use
• The use meets the requirements of the TEACH Act