Using Media for Teaching Purposes
Instructors often wish to use media, such as films and music, in the classroom. There is often conflicting information for instructors about what they can and cannot
use, and what they must do in order to utilize such works in their instruction.
Section 110 (1) of U.S. Copyright Law states that "performance or display of a work by instructors or pupils in the course of face-to-face teaching activities of a nonprofit
educational institution" is not an infringement of copyright.
This section allows instructors to use films, music, artwork, poetry, prose, and other copyrighted materials in part or in their entirety, if the amount used is necessary to
meet the educational objectives of the course. The copies used must be lawfully made and obtained.
While the law specifically refers to face-to-face classes, a secure online classroom that only officially enrolled students have access to, such as through K-State Online, is comparable to face-to-face teaching and use of copyrighted works in that teaching format should be evaluated under the same standard. Care should be used to limit the use of the clip to view-only and only for the duration necessary for teaching purposes.
