Copyright Compliance for Faculty and Staff: TEACH Act and Distance Ed

A possible alternative to Fair Use, the Technology Education and Copyright Harmonization (TEACH) Act extends to the digital classroom some of the exemptions to copyright law that exist in the face-to-face classroom. Its application is limited to performances and displays. Performances and displays include non-dramatic literary works (articles, book chapters and music) and audiovisual works that typically would be shown in the face-to-face classroom. This latter example can be very helpful in the distance ed classroom, but if it involves digitizing from other formats, there are additional requirements that must be met to comply with the law. If you determine that the TEACH Act does not apply, you can still fall back on Fair Use.

Nota bene

• To take advantage of the TEACH Act, there are a number of technological requirements that must be met.

• The TEACH Act does not apply to EReserves.