Answers

The University of Texas provides “Rules of Thumb” to address fair use and copyright including the use of multimedia materials for educational purposes: http://www.utsystem.edu/ogc/intellectualproperty/copypol2.htm#mm. UT also provides access to a more extensive explanation in their online presentation “Copyright Issues: Multimedia and Internet Resources” at http://www.utsystem.edu/ogc/intellectualproperty/mmfruse.htm.

For more information on general copyright laws and multimedia, see “What are the general copyright laws associated with the downloading of photos and images from the internet?” (below)

For more information on citing multimedia, see “How does one cite references for resources used in a PowerPoint presentation?” (Attribution/Citation Issues)

Copyright law is still evolving when it comes to the fair use of photos and images on the web. The use of images in any format is a complex issue. Determining fair use often depends on the circumstances.

In general, when it comes to downloading images from the web, it has been determined by the courts that it is within fair use to download thumbnail images from a web site without asking permission or paying a licensing fee. That is not necessarily so in all circumstances. For more information go to the GigaLaw.com site article on Photos and Fair Use Online: From Penthouse Pets to Kelly’s Thumbnails by Michael L. Baroni http://fairuse.stanford.edu/Copyright_and_Fair_Use_Overview/chapter9/9-c.html

Downloading full size images from a web site does not meet the fair use criteria. Unless the site clearly states that it is permissible to download images for free, you must request permission and possibly pay a licensing fee to do so.

To get an idea of the complexity involved with determining the fair use of images, go to the University of Tennessee’s image and multimedia copyright information page: http://www.lib.utk.edu/copyright/multimedia.html