Copyright Compliance for Cornerstone University

Always Ask Permission

It is a legal fact that the copying of materials for educational purposes does not inherently constitute fair use. Permission to use articles, images, or excerpts must be obtained, and licensing fees will likely be required.

Course packs created without proper clearance from the rights holders places the copying service, the university, and the individual professor at risk for legal action.

Create Your Course Pack

Consider University Readers for copyright clearance services and the creation of print or digital course packs. In nearly every case, collections of articles, book excerpts, and similar readings require copyright clearance. Copyright Clearance Center also offers clearance services, but lacks publishing services for course packs.  

Start creating your course pack now by visiting the University Reader's website, above. Students can purchase course packs directly from the provider.

Campus bookstores will sometimes produce course packs or multiple copies for classroom use according to the following guidelines:

  • Copyright protected materials: Proof of copyright clearance, including the total number of copies permitted, for the current academic term must be provided prior to copying.
  • Original materials (unpublished): Materials must be entirely the original work of the course professor (for example, lecture notes or study guides). Unpublished student work may not be reproduced without written permission from the student author/creator.
  • Original materials (published): Proof of clearance from the copyright holder (or proof that the professor retains the copyright) must be provided. Published authors generally do NOT retain copyright for their work.

Published workbooks, study guides, standardized tests, and other resources considered "consumable" may not be copied for any reason.