reactivation of copyright K-12 blog?

This blog has been inactive for a long time. If no one is interested in discussing copyright issues in schools, it may be time to kill this poor beast. Thoughts?

Reply: copyright question

Betsy, there are many things to consider with this project. The primary factor I think you need to consider is that you are making a derivative work of the book. While students can do that within a class for their own education, streaming that out across the web is a horse of a different color!

Note, I am not an attorney, so don't take this generic discussion to be legal advice.

copyright question

I am thinking about writing a grant for a library/technology/classroom project and am wondering about the copyright nuances of my idea. The basic project would involve having older students write and act out script based on a children's book (title , author, etc of book would be given) and taping it with a digital camcorder. The videos, after editing, would be uploaded to district video streaming server for use by younger grades.
What are the copyright issues on this project?
Thank you
Betsy Ruffin

Who might be interested in this Blog?

If you know administrators or tech people in your district who might be interested in our discussions, feel free to point them to: http://k12copyright.blogspot.com. They can read the discussions without registering to post. I have a lot of folks who asked for posting privs, but who never replied to the invitation. I will start deleting their posting access shortly.

I am such a newbie that I'm hesitant to post anything, but I do feel strongly about the acknowledgement and protection of intellectual property. I look forward to learning from more experienced professionals who are willing to share their viewpoints about matters of copyright in the public school system.

Sharing reports of copyright actions

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE add your case to our database of cases at www.school-library.org. There is such a need for "real stories" of copyright infringements against schools. I get nasty notes when I ask people to contribute - they say "I would never turn in my school!" But these are cases that are over and done with. Nothing to turn in, just experiences to share with other educators. And you can remain anonymous!

I recently had a question from a librarian. Seems as though they are creating a notebook for ESL teachers and wanted to know if they could just re-print some of the articles they had used in the earlier edition. They were going to have a secretary re-type everything. This was so similar to a situation we had in Irving (we were sued, lost over a similar notebook compilation).
I was called the copyright queen in the district, and did not finally tell administrators: "I told you so, I told you so."
I advised her to request permission from each author/publisher, and to state the use for duplication. Permission granted usually states the date, limits the copies. These letters should be kept on file.
I usually tell people if you want to teach dental care would you go to the drugstore and steal those little samples of toothpaste and folding toothbrushes? Why is it different if you want to use someone's published work. You must pay, or have them give permission.
Mary D. Lankford, Library Consultant, Austin