Copyright

This provision permits libraries to make copies of materials for preservation and security, to give copies to users for their private study or research, and to send copies through interlibrary loan. Like most of the exceptions, this provision applies only to certain types of works, and only under certain circumstances.

This important exception limits the “distribution rights” of the copyright holder by providing that once the owner authorizes the release of lawful copies of a work, those copies may in turn be passed along to others by sale, rental, loan, gift, or other transfer. This exception allows libraries to lend materials and bookstores to sell books.

This important exception limits the “distribution rights” of the copyright holder by providing that once the owner authorizes the release of lawful copies of a work, those copies may in turn be passed along to others by sale, rental, loan, gift, or other transfer. This exception allows libraries to lend materials and bookstores to sell books.

Under this exception, educators may perform and display all types of works in a classroom or similar place at most educational institutions. It allows instructors and students to recite poetry, read plays, show videos, play music, project slides, and engage in many other performances and displays of protected works in the classroom setting. This exception is actually comparatively simple and broad, but keep in mind that it permits only displays and performances in the classroom—not the making of copies or the posting of digital works on servers.

Under this exception, educators may perform and display all types of works in a classroom or similar place at most educational institutions. It allows instructors and students to recite poetry, read plays, show videos, play music, project slides, and engage in many other performances and displays of protected works in the classroom setting. This exception is actually comparatively simple and broad, but keep in mind that it permits only displays and performances in the classroom—not the making of copies or the posting of digital works on servers.

This exception allows the owner of a copy of a computer program to modify the program to work on his or her computer or computer platform, and to make a back-up copy of the software to use in the event of damage to or destruction of the original copy. Realistically, most commercial programs are sold for use on multiple platforms, or the rights of use may be governed by license agreements.

Architectural designs are protected by copyright, but this exception makes clear that once a building is constructed at a place visible to the public, anyone may make and use a picture of that building without infringing the copyright in the architectural design. We might infringe copyright when we reproduce blueprints or duplicate the Trump Tower, but we are not infringing when we snap a photograph and use it in a book or on postcards.

This exception permits certain organizations to make specific formats of published, non-dramatic literary works in order that they may be useful to persons who are blind or have other disabilities. For example, some educational institutions and libraries may be able to make large-print or Braille versions of some works in the collection.