Skip to Main Content 
Copyright & Fair Use FAQ
1) Can I use an image I found online?
Answer: Sometimes. Just remember that all images are automatically copyrighted upon creation, meaning you cannot use them without permission. Just because an image is available on Google does not mean it’s free to use.
However, some images are acceptable to use including those:
-
-
are in the public domain
-
are from a licensed image database that provides legal rights to images for educational use. Databases and royalty-free image sites that provide legal rights for educational use include Pixabay, Creative Commons and Canva.
2) Is it okay to show a full movie from Netflix in my classroom?
Answer: No, Netflix’s terms of service restrict the use of their content for personal, non-commercial purposes only. Some educational exceptions exist, but you'd need explicit permission or an educational screening license. Please check out our educational streaming services provided by the library, such as Films on Demand and College (Gale in Context).
3) Can I show/post/copy a YouTube video and use it in my online course?
Answer: Sometimes. However downloading and redistributing YouTube videos without permission is a violation of copyright and YouTube's terms of Service.
Embedding and linking to a video in your course material is usually acceptable as long as it:
-
is a video posted by an official account (e.g., a publisher, creator, or institution)
-
Always verify that the uploader has the right to share the content. Look for indicators like verified accounts or explicit permissions in the video description.
★ Be cautious, though — sometimes movies or other copyrighted content are illegally uploaded to YouTube. If the content seems unofficial or unauthorized, you should not use it, even if it’s accessible on the platform, as it may violate copyright law. Always verify the source and legality of the material.
4) Am I allowed to scan a chapter from a textbook and upload it to my online course platform?
Answer: It depends. Fair use may allow the scanning of a single chapter if it’s for educational purposes and the portion used is reasonable (typically 10% of the book). However, it's better to consult with your librarian or use library services like e-reserves to see if there’s a licensed electronic version available.
5) Can I stream a movie or documentary from my personal DVD in a face-to-face class?
Answer: Yes, under the face-to-face teaching exception in copyright law (17 U.S.C. §110(1)), you can show legally obtained DVDs in a classroom setting for educational purposes.
★ Exception for Hybrid or Online Classes: For hybrid or fully online classes, this exception does NOT apply. Instead, the TEACH Act (17 U.S.C. §110(2)) provides some limited allowances for showing clips in online environments, but the clips must be directly related to your teaching, be brief, and the platform must have access controls (like a password-protected learning management system like Blackboard). For full-length movies or documentaries, you would need streaming rights or use a licensed platform like Films on Demand that is designed for educational use online.
6) How do I know if something is in the public domain?
Answer: Works typically enter the public domain 95 years after their publication. For example, as of 2025, anything published before 1930 would be in the public domain. Additionally, works created by the U.S. government are generally in the public domain. You can also search for works specifically labeled as public domain or under a Creative Commons license.
7) Can I copy an entire article and distribute it to my students?
Answer: No, distributing entire copyrighted works without permission is typically a violation of copyright.
You can copy a portion of the article according to the 10% guideline.
You can link to the article if it is available through a library database (for which we pay a licensing fee) or request permission from the copyright holder. In some cases, fair use might allow limited distribution, but it's safer to consult with the library.
