Library News
Copyright: Articles and Videos
Using someone else’s work might involve getting permission from the copyright holder, and even paying a fee. Copyright protects creators from theft and allows them to profit when others use their content.
Articles
Can I use an article in my paper?
Theories and words from an article can be properly cited from the original work freely. However, if you want to reproduce a figure, diagram, or image from the article in your work, you must get permission from the copyright holder. The difference between plagiarism and copyright infringement is that plagiarism protects ideas or theories, and copyright protects the physical manifestations of that theory. That’s why you can quote from an article without having to seek permission from the copyright holder but need to seek permission for figures, diagrams, and images.
If you are seeking to publish your article, the journal will state that the authors are “responsible for obtaining permission to publish any figures or illustrations that are protected by copyright, including figures published elsewhere and pictures taken by professional photographers.” (1) If you’re not sure if you need copyright permission please visit our guide on Copyright, and feel free to contact us at hsl@geisinger.edu.
Can I share an article?
Yes! You can certainly share articles with your colleagues. Copyright infringement is when sharing affects the market of the article. For compliance, we recommend sharing the link to an article rather than the pdf of the article. This action has the added benefit of telling us what articles and journals are being used by our patrons and will inform our purchasing decisions.
Can I use an article pdf I got from Interlibrary Loan as a course reading?
No. Articles received from Interlibrary Loan are for personal use only. If you’re interested in using that article for a course reading, contact us about purchasing a copy for the library.
Videos:
Can I show a video in my class?
Yes! Educational use of videos is protected by Fair Use. The video must be limited to the students in the course you’re currently teaching.
Can I show a video to my student group?
Maybe. It depends on what video you’re showing, to whom, and where. Copyright prevents public screenings of videos. Copyright law defines a public screening as: a performance or display “at a place open to the public or at any place where a substantial number of persons outside of a normal circle of a family and its social acquaintances is gathered.” (2) You will need Public Performance Rights permission to screen the video.
On the other hand, videos that are in the public domain* do not require copyright permission to show public screenings. As of 2024, videos made before 1928 are considered in the public domain.
It’s on YouTube. Surely, I can use it?
Not necessarily. YouTube does have some videos licensed under a Creative Commons license, but you must double check that it applies to the specific video you’re using.
When in doubt, seek permission from the author. Questions? Email the library at hsl@geisinger.edu.
References:
1. Submission guidelines | Scientific Reports [Internet]. [cited 2024 Feb 12]. Available from: http://www.nature.com/srep/author-instructions/submission-guidelines
2. Chapter 1 - Circular 92 | U.S. Copyright Office [Internet]. [cited 2024 Feb 12]. Available from: https://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html