Copyright

17 U.S.C. § 110(1) permits the performance or display of legally licensed/purchased works, for strictly and directly pedagogical purposes relevant to the course, in face-to-face classes at nonprofit educational institutions.

What Qualifies for the "Classroom Exemption"?

To qualify for this exemption, you must: be in a classroom ("or similar place devoted to instruction"). Be there in person, engaged in face-to-face teaching activities. Be at a nonprofit educational institution.

If you meet these conditions, the exemption gives both instructors and students broad rights to perform or display any works. That means instructors can show students images (including movies) or other original works. Students are also covered by the classroom exemption.

Passed in 2002 by Congress to allow the performance and display of copyrighted works for online distance education purposes. This only applies to performances of nondramatic literary or musical works in their entirety and limited portions of other works as long as they meet these requirements:

• A copyright statement is included on the main page of the course; and
• The instructor is the one who decides to use the work; and
• A lawfully acquired copy of the work is used; and
• The work is relevant to the course; and
• Access is limited to students enrolled in the course; and
• Authorized users do not distribute the work to others; and
• The work is taken down at the end of the semester; and
• No one interferes with technological measures used by copyright owners of the work to prevent such retention or unauthorized further dissemination.

All of these requirements must be met to be protected under the T.E.A.C.H Act Exemption.