Agencies and individuals are watching. The loss of revenue has led to a fourfold increase in watchdog agencies exclusively focused on copyright infringement. Potentially we are all authors with the right to have our creative works recognized and protected. Regardless of the rationale, when we copy creative works without permission, we limit revenue and jeopardize the creative process. Most important, as educators, we serve as role models for our students.
Students are quick to recognize rationalizations for what they are.
Doing the right thing when it comes to copyright teaches our students important life values. However difficult, we owe nothing less to our students than to demonstrate by our own actions how we hope they will conduct their lives. The information presented in this article is not legal advice. It consists of general guidelines and interpretations by both attorneys and non-attorneys of a complex area of law.