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Copyright

The BCC Library makes scanners and photocopiers available to students solely for non-commercial, educational purposes. The U.S. Federal Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S. Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under the “fair use” provision, anyone can make limited use of copyrighted material without seeking permission. There is no specific number of words, lines, or chapters that may safely be taken without permission and all “fair use” evaluations must be done on a case-by-case basis. Generally, copying one chapter of a textbook is considered within the scope of the “fair use” provision. To determine whether a particular use is fair, the law requires that the following four factors be equally considered:
  • the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;
  • the nature of the copyrighted work;
  • the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and
  • the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.