Posting to the Web implies a reasonable expectation that unprotected site content may be read, downloaded for review, printed, or forwarded on a limited basis by individual viewers. It is currently unclear what constitutes fair use of materials posted on the Web. A number of Web sites offer copyright-free use of materials. These may offer backgrounds, images, animations, and music appropriate to your site. Many more such sites exist and can be accessed using search engines.
Many issues remain unresolved regarding the use of others' materials for digital distance education.
In an effort to resolve these issues, the U.S. Copyright Office held public hearings across the country and synthesized input from educational and publishing representatives. On May 1999 the U.S. Copyright Office forwarded their digital distance education recommendations to Congress. Currently, these are recommendations not law. Requests include clarification of the term transmission to include digital as well as analog delivery, expansion of rights to include digital performance and display of works necessary for instruction, and student access to course materials in a digital form available any time, any place. Safeguards are also included.