Programs » Fair Use

Syllabus Inserts:  Statements about Fair Use to include in Course Syllabi

For art, architecture, or design history courses:
In your paper(s), you will be employing fair use, the right to re-use copyrighted material without permission or payment for some purposes. This is an extremely important right for you to understand for any scholarly work, including student papers. Please read CAA’s Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for the Visual Arts to understand how to use it when writing your paper. You will be graded on your ability both to identify when you are applying fair use, and to explain why your use is fair; the Code will help you with both. Pay particular attention to Section I, but also make sure you read Appendix A.

For studio art courses:
Artists depend on fair use, the right to reuse copyrighted material without permission or payment for some purposes, in making many kinds of work. In this class, you’ll be responsible for understanding how to apply fair use in making art. Please read CAA’s Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for the Visual Arts to understand how to use it when doing your assignments. You will be graded on your ability both to identify when you are applying fair use, and to explain why your use is fair; the Code will help you with both. Pay particular attention to Section III, but also make sure you read Appendix A.

For museum studies courses:
Curators and other museum professionals depend on fair use, the right to reuse copyrighted material without permission or payment for some purposes, in creating exhibitions, publicizing materials, creating digital versions of exhibitions and digital information about them, and more. In this class, you’ll be responsible for understanding how to apply fair use in museum work. Please read CAA’s Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for the Visual Arts to understand how to use it when doing your assignments. You will be graded on your ability both to identify when you and others are applying fair use, and to explain why your or their use is fair; the Code will help you with both. Pay particular attention to Sections IV and V, but also make sure you read Appendix A.

Alternative General Statement (to be used in any course syllabus):
Your professionalism in this class is recognized by, among other things, your understanding of copyright and fair use in your own work. Just as respecting others’ copyright is important, so is understanding when it is not only legal but appropriate to use others’ material without permission or payment. To clarify, consult CAA’s http://www.collegeart.org/fair-use/best-practices.