This recent article in the Chronicle of Higher Education addressed the copyright issue and I feel compelled to pass information of this type on. I keep reading such articles hoping to be told something more concrete and always come away disappointed. I thought this article offered something I did not know by using the phrase “principle of classroom use”. The author makes the point that there are uses other than fair use that apply to educators. I thought this might be a technical term in the way that fair use is a recognized term.
I think classroom use basically means you can show a complete film or listen to a complete musical work if that content is the focus of what you teach (see section 110). There must be a better phrase than “classroom use” – this to me implies something of a broader scope that is intended and may imply something unintended to those looking for greater freedom to use what they want.
When an online resource addresses the topic of copyright and allows comment, I often read the comments. The comments in reaction to this article are a good example. It is clear to me that some folks simply have convinced themselves that copyright is simple wrong and they offer a justification for this position. It seems pretty much “here is how I justify my behavior”. A popular justification for abuse is that content creators supposedly make more money as a result of their content being copied. I am sure this has been the case in some instances. Still, who gets to make this decision?
Consider that I might argue that a baker would sell more goods if he/she allowed customers to sample whatever they wanted before making purchases. Obviously, some do take this approach and offer a few samples. But, some do not. If I believe that samples increase sales AND know that some sellers believe so as well am I now free to sample anywhere and whatever I like? I am guessing few would defend the general practice of the public sampling the goods in a grocery store even though some make the argument this would be good for the grocer. Why is it so many feel the right to take what they want when the product is information?