Policies & Procedures

GA2005.4 Copyright Procedure

Purpose

The purpose of this procedure is to guide all SUNY Broome students, faculty, staff, and third parties who have access to information technology resources at the College to comply with federal copyright law while performing official College tasks.

Statement of the Procedure

SUNY Broome Community College is committed to upholding the principles of copyright law and promoting respect for intellectual property rights. Our copyright procedures are designed to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations while fostering a culture of creativity and innovation.

Related Policies (by number)

GA2005 Copyright Policy

AA4001 Academic Honesty Policy

AA4003 Open Access Policy

To Whom it Applies (title or department)

Faculty, staff, students, and any other third parties who have access to information technology resources at SUNY Broome Community College.

General Guidelines

A. Awareness and Education: SUNY Broome Community College will provide comprehensive training and resources to all stakeholders on copyright laws and on relevant documentation to ensure that all members of our community are well-informed about copyright regulations. [Copyright Basics]

B. Responsibilities of Faculty, Staff, and other Third Parties: Faculty, staff, and other third parties are responsible for ensuring that any materials they use in their teaching, research, or administrative activities comply with copyright laws. This includes obtaining necessary permissions for the use of copyrighted materials and adhering to fair use guidelines. [Fair Use Permissions]

C. Responsibility of Students: Students are expected to respect copyright laws in their academic work. This includes obtaining permissions for the use of copyrighted materials in projects and assignments and adhering to fair use guidelines. [Students]

D. Use of Copyrighted Materials: The College recognizes that copyrighted materials may be used in teaching, research, and scholarship under certain conditions, such as fair use. However, all use of copyrighted materials must be done in accordance with applicable laws and with proper attribution. [Teaching with Copyrighted Materials]

E. Permissions and Licensing: When using copyrighted materials beyond the scope of fair use, faculty, staff, and students are responsible for obtaining the necessary permissions or licenses from the copyright holder. The College will provide guidance and support in this process—contact the Library Director, the College’s Copyright Resource Person, for assistance. Once permission is obtained, the user must retain the official copyright documentation and submit it through the College’s Copyright Documentation Form, which serves as the central repository for all permissions.[ Permissions]

F. Digital Copyright Compliance: To ensure adherence to copyright laws in the digital environment, the College will implement and maintain procedures that promote lawful access and use of digital materials.

a. Information Technology Services (ITS) is responsible for enabling, monitoring, and enforcing the technical components of copyright compliance. This includes maintaining systems that support authorized access to licensed digital resources and implementing safeguards to prevent unauthorized use or distribution.

b. Collaboration and Oversight: ITS will work in coordination with the Library, Teaching Resource Center, Academic Affairs, and Legal Counsel to:

1. Verify that access to licensed digital content is managed in accordance with contractual and copyright requirements.
2. Review and clear materials for educational use under Fair Use and TEACH Act provisions.
3. Provide guidance and support to faculty and staff on the lawful use of digital materials.
4. Address reported or suspected violations promptly and in compliance with College policy and applicable law.
5. Ongoing Review: These procedures will be reviewed periodically to ensure continued compliance with evolving copyright laws and digital use standards

G. Reporting of Copyright Infringement: Any suspected copyright infringement should be reported to the Chief Information Officer at the College. Reports will be investigated promptly, and appropriate action will be taken to address any violations.

H. Copyright Notice posted at each Copier at The College:

The following notice is required to be posted near every copier/printer on the College campus. The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. The person using this equipment is responsible for any infringement.