I need your help - thanks in advance for anyone that can assist.

What resources are available for the creation of training materials to guide a developer around copyright issues? I am creating an in-house program and need clarification on what I can use from resources (online, other training resources) with and without permission. For example, where is the line between simply citing a source and actually needing permission from a source to reference their materials (i.e. adding a one or two line quote from another resource.)

I attempted a search for this topic, but was unable to locate a thread. If one already exists and you can lead me in the right direction - I would be very grateful!

Siegert

In general, you do not need to get permission if

you're not going to package and sell it

you cite your references

You are not literally copying copyright protected material to redistribute it (for example - you're not taking a workbook and making copies when you should have purchased them from the author/distributor/publisher)

I am not a lawyer, but I have experience with this issue. I would definitely recommend speaking with a lawyer who knows copyright law if you are concerned.

LoveLearning,

Thanks for your help.

Siegert

The ASTD Press has come out with an excellent book on Copyright Law - I highly recommend you get it! As an author myself, I can tell you that anything beyond a simple short quote that is carefully referenced could land you in trouble if you're not careful. If in doubt, contact the publisher and/or author. ASTD puts on their copyright page that nothing can be reproduced without the prior written permission of the publisher "except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncomercial uses permitted by copyright law."

Thank you KaliKo,

Siegert