Copyright Case Studies

Students in a distance education global science education class for and regularly
communicate through a blog over the Web 2.0 Internet. Students love to share the global
science work that they are gathering that includes photos that they have taken and posted
on their blog site. Students have been advised not to share their personal information on
the Internet for safety reasons. The photos included pictures of students and pictures of
the materials used. Although the photos belong to the students, they have not identified
them by citing the source of images thus no credit has been specifically identified by the
owner. When considering copyright laws, explain if the use of these photos is
acceptable?

The purpose and character of the use - The purpose and character of the use is for
sharing the learning
The nature of the work The nature of the work is technology education
The amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the work as a
whole The work is significant
The effect of the use on the market or potential market for the original work The
potential potential market for the original work is school.

A group of students in a distance education web design class were assigned to create a
website. The website included content on a community recycling project. The project
included local businesses that recycle and pictures of this private facility. A Video clip of
the recycling operations that take place within the facility is included in the video. A
competitor business was opened next door to the recycling facility that closely resembles
the operations of the recycling facility next door. Has the competitor company next door
that uses the same process for recycle as seen on the video acceptable when considering
copyright laws?

The purpose and character of the use - The purpose and character of the use is for
sharing the learning
The nature of the work The nature of the work is technology education
The amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the work as a
whole The work is significant
The effect of the use on the market or potential market for the original work The
potential potential market for the original work is school.

In a distance education course, the teacher embedded music by an amateur musician

friend. The music was created for the backdrop of a power point presentation. The
musician was traveling to Thailand and notice that the music that she created for her

friend years ago for a power point was being played in multiple stores. It is said that the
musician is from the U.S. living in Thailand. That student was in the distance education
class when they heard they first heard the music. What are the copyright parameters for
using this music? Is its use acceptable?

The purpose and character of the use - The purpose and character of the use is for
sharing the learning
The nature of the work The nature of the work is technology education
The amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the work as a
whole The work is significant
The effect of the use on the market or potential market for the original work The
potential market for the original work is school.

A professor of a university distance education posted a semester of work on the course

website. Students were to follow this course module to completion. A student completed
their PhD. degree program and became a professor at a different university. The former
student uses very similar course module content to teach their course. A transfer student
who is still in touch with the professor at the former school shares the similarities and the
link with his former professor. The professor is outraged with the stark similarities that
are easily identified with his course and the former students now professor course
published content materials for his course. In considering the copyright laws, is the use
of the course materials acceptable without the professors permission?

The purpose and character of the use - The purpose and character of the use is for
sharing the learning
The nature of the work The nature of the work is technology education
The amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the work as a
whole The work is significant
The effect of the use on the market or potential market for the original work The
potential market for the original work is school.

In a distance education course, the professor has a logo of geek science earrings on all of
its pages. A student really likes the look of this logo. She does not ask the professor if
she can use the logo. The student uses the geek science earring logo from the professors
page as her logo for her start up earring business. Is the use of this geek science earring
logo permissible to use without permission from the professor? How does the action of
the students decision relate to copyright laws?

The purpose and character of the use - The purpose and character of the use is for
sharing the learning

The nature of the work The nature of the work is technology education
The amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the work as a
whole The work is significant
The effect of the use on the market or potential market for the original work The
potential market for the original work is school.

In a distance education, a picture was shared of a NASA Scientist. The picture was
captured by a student and then modified to make it an impressionable piece of art. The
work was sold and profit was made. The student was then approached to provide an
answer as to who gave permission for using the picture. The student had no answer.
How does this infringe upon the copyright law.

The purpose and character of the use - The purpose and character of the use is for
sharing the learning
The nature of the work The nature of the work is technology education
The amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the work as a
whole The work is significant
The effect of the use on the market or potential market for the original work The
potential market for the original work is school.