Copyright in the eLearning biz can get confusing. Can you use that awesome image you found on Google in your eLearning course? What if it's just for internal view? What if you're going to sell it? What if it's for a paying client to use internally? What if it's Creative Commons licensed?
I've previously written quite a bit on copyright and image usage as it applies to eLearning, but I frequently get inquiries about it, so I thought I'd compile what I've shared thus far here.
Copyright information:
Is Using Copyrighted Materials Okay for eLearning?
Image and Media Resources:
Finding Google Images You Can Actually Use
YouTube Adds Creative Commons Content
Photopin, a New Stock Photo Resource
Additionally, I have found a couple more interesting resources about Creative Commons licensing. The first is a video produced by Mohawk Media of New Zealand for Creative Commons Aotearoa New Zealand that does a great job explaining how Creative Commons licenses work.
The second is another stock photo resource that I hadn't previously heard of: Foter. Every time I try out a free stock photo resource, the first things I search for are "business man" and "business woman," because conservatively dressed and put together adults are always good choices for eLearning images. Foter didn't disappoint, as I was instantly led to a decent selection of free images that were licensed for commercial use. I definitely recommend this site. And check this out: one of the best things I found there is a blog post on How To Attribute Creative Commons Photos that includes this great Creative Commons infographic that gives you a decision-tree on how to proceed when you are planning to use Creative Commons material in any way.
Image source: http://foter.com/blog/how-to-attribute-creative-commons-photos
AJ,
For many months now I’ve been reading up on Fair Use, Creative Commons, Public Domain, Attribution etc. Your article just popped up and it’s a great source of information. Thanks!
I’m still left with 2 questions I was really hoping you could maybe shed some light on:
1.”share-alike”—>I’m creating a site with interactive English (learning) quizzes. The site and quizzes are free. I do have banner adds. Inside the quizzes (HTML5 or flash) I make use of images that are CC-BY-SA licensed—>Can I “copyright/all rights reserve” my website? I am confused about the “share-alike”, yes I will make the image “share-alike”, but not the design of my quizzes and website.
2. How about a reading quiz using news articles from CNN/BBC, can I use them under fair use?
Cheers
Frusty
AJ,
For many months now I’ve been reading up on Fair Use, Creative Commons, Public Domain, Attribution etc. Your article just popped up and it’s a great source of information. Thanks!
I’m still left with 2 questions I was really hoping you could maybe shed some light on:
1.”share-alike”—>I’m creating a site with interactive English (learning) quizzes. The site and quizzes are free. I do have banner adds. Inside the quizzes (HTML5 or flash) I make use of images that are CC-BY-SA licensed—>Can I “copyright/all rights reserve” my website? I am confused about the “share-alike”, yes I will make the image “share-alike”, but not the design of my quizzes and website.
2. How about a reading quiz using news articles from CNN/BBC, can I use them under fair use?
Cheers
Frusty
AJ,
For many months now I’ve been reading up on Fair Use, Creative Commons, Public Domain, Attribution etc. Your article just popped up and it’s a great source of information. Thanks!
I’m still left with 2 questions I was really hoping you could maybe shed some light on:
1.”share-alike”—>I’m creating a site with interactive English (learning) quizzes. The site and quizzes are free. I do have banner adds. Inside the quizzes (HTML5 or flash) I make use of images that are CC-BY-SA licensed—>Can I “copyright/all rights reserve” my website? I am confused about the “share-alike”, yes I will make the image “share-alike”, but not the design of my quizzes and website.
2. How about a reading quiz using news articles from CNN/BBC, can I use them under fair use?
Cheers
Frusty
Thanks for your comment Frusty,
I am not a lawyer, or a copyright guru, just someone who does a lot of research (much like yourself). It is my understanding that if you are going to use an image that is “SA” licensed, that you have to make whatever product you put out “SA” as well–not just the original image that you used. I think you can always claim copyright on your site…but when push comes to shove I don’t know that it would hold up in court if you’re using Share-Alike images.
2. As far as using the CNN/BBC articles, I’m not 100% clear on the context you will be using them, but I think if you link to the original source, rather than claiming the articles as your own, I think that is fine.
Like I said, I’m not a lawyer, but this is my understanding from research.
Thanks for your comment Frusty,
I am not a lawyer, or a copyright guru, just someone who does a lot of research (much like yourself). It is my understanding that if you are going to use an image that is “SA” licensed, that you have to make whatever product you put out “SA” as well–not just the original image that you used. I think you can always claim copyright on your site…but when push comes to shove I don’t know that it would hold up in court if you’re using Share-Alike images.
2. As far as using the CNN/BBC articles, I’m not 100% clear on the context you will be using them, but I think if you link to the original source, rather than claiming the articles as your own, I think that is fine.
Like I said, I’m not a lawyer, but this is my understanding from research.
Thanks for your comment Frusty,
I am not a lawyer, or a copyright guru, just someone who does a lot of research (much like yourself). It is my understanding that if you are going to use an image that is “SA” licensed, that you have to make whatever product you put out “SA” as well–not just the original image that you used. I think you can always claim copyright on your site…but when push comes to shove I don’t know that it would hold up in court if you’re using Share-Alike images.
2. As far as using the CNN/BBC articles, I’m not 100% clear on the context you will be using them, but I think if you link to the original source, rather than claiming the articles as your own, I think that is fine.
Like I said, I’m not a lawyer, but this is my understanding from research.