This online course covers principles in U.S. copyright law, including the U.S. Copyright Act, and court cases. Topics covered include:

• background on U.S. copyright law
• what the U.S. copyright law consists of
• criteria for copyright protection (e.g., originality and fixation)
• what works are protected
• how to protect copyright works (e.g., registration and copyright notice requirements)
• who owns a work
• what rights are protected by copyright
• what is the duration of copyright protection
• how are rights exploited
• how is copyright infringed
• what are the remedies for infringing copyright

Note that fair use will be briefly covered in this course and is dealt with in greater depth in CCM 500.

Course Learning Objectives

At the end of this course, participants will understand the background of U.S. copyright law and what the law consists of, explain how a work is protected by copyright, what works are protected, and for how long. The participant will be able to assess ownership in a copyright work, and what rights are protected by the law. Participants will be able to describe how rights are exploited, how copyright law is infringed and the remedies for copyright infringement.

Specific Learning Outcomes:

1. Describe the background on U.S. copyright law.
2. Name what the U.S. copyright law consists of.
3. Explain the criteria for copyright protection (e.g., originality and fixation).
4. Describe what works are protected by copyright.
5. Discuss how to protect copyright works (e.g., registration and copyright notice requirements).
6. Analyze who owns a work.
7. Categorize what rights are protected by copyright.
8. Distinguish the various durations of copyright protection.
9. Analyze how rights are exploited.
10. Formulate how copyright is infringed. 
11. Describe the remedies for infringing copyright.

Performance Measure

Course assessment, exercises and discussions will measure and evaluate the degree of understanding that participants achieve over the learning process.

Prerequisites

This online course is the second of seven required courses for the SLA/Click University Certificate in Copyright Management:  Principles and Issues. 

CCM 100 is recommended but not a prerequisite for participants in the Certificate.

There are no prerequisites for non-Certificate participants, who may take any Certificate courses a la carte.

People are Saying:

"The combination of presentation, readings, and discussion. Each piece clarifies the other pieces. The discussion expands the topic and gives "real life" meaning and examples."

"The course gave me the necessary tools and confidence that will help me find answers to the daily copyright issues that I face."

Please read: Copyright Management Certificate Program Honor Code & Use Policy

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