Photocopying a copyrighted work? Survey at selected copiers needs your participation Jan. 6-March 5

General Article
December 19, 2002

The center soon will embark on a survey of those using selected copying machines in the Weintraub, Thomas and Hutchinson buildings.

We need your participation every time you photocopy a copyrighted item at selected copiers from Jan. 6 through March 5. The survey has four easy steps: (1) photocopy the cover or title page of the copyrighted material, (2) complete a survey sticker, (3) stick the sticker to the photocopy, and (4) drop the copy into a survey box.

Why a photocopy survey?

We are required to do the survey under the terms of our license with a company called Copyright Clearance Center. But it is also in our best interest to help supply CCC with the survey data they need.

Why is the survey in our best interest?

Without it, we might see a reduction in the number of magazines, journals and books we lawfully photocopy from. Through CCC, we have permission for faculty and staff to make copies (for internal use) from 1.75 million copyrighted journals, magazines, books and periodicals. CCC uses surveys to make sure that the authors and publishers who own the copyrighted materials receive royalties they are entitled to for use of their properties. If the copyright owners don't get paid, they are more likely to withdraw their materials from the license, reducing the number of works that we can lawfully photocopy from.

Can't we save money by not reporting or under-reporting photocopies?

No. In fact, it is important that we provide accurate data. We ask that every faculty and staff member take the photocopy survey seriously and report the actual volume of photocopies they make.

How does the survey affect me personally?

Without CCC's service, you might be breaking the law when you use the photocopy machine, without even knowing it. That could mean costly liabilities for our institution. By participating in this survey, you help make it easier for us to comply with copyright law and protect our institution from costly noncompliance risks.

How long will the survey last?

Sixty days. Posters with survey instructions will be placed at designated copy machines in the Hutchinson, Weintraub and Thomas buildings. It will end when the survey posters no longer appear at the copy machines.

Through this survey, could anybody else, such as a competitor, find out what we are photocopying or researching?

Nobody can find out anything about our photocopying activity. The data from the survey is completely confidential. In fact, it will be anonymous because it is intermixed with survey data from many other companies and institutions. Nobody will know who, or what company or institution, supplied what data.

Through this survey, are faculty and staff being monitored for breaking copyright law?

Absolutely not. Use of CCC's service helps protect our institution from noncompliance with copyright law. It also means you don't have to worry about breaking copyright law every time you use the copy machine!

What are examples of copyrighted materials?

They include books, magazine articles, articles from scientific or technical journals, newspaper or newsletter articles, photographs, illustrations and tables.

Do I need to participate in the survey every time I use the copy machine?

You must do the four steps of the survey every time you photocopy from books, magazines, journals, newspapers, newsletters, etc. Items such as memos, correspondence, internal reports, etc., are not included.

Questions? Call us at 206-667-4314. - Kelly Thormodson, Arnold Digital Library

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