Digital Copyright Law Q&A- Music

This page is provided as a basic resource and guide. Please be aware that copyright law is very detailed and complicated, and changes from time to time. 

Q: What are the guidelines for multimedia classroom use?
A: Students may incorporate portions of lawfully copyrighted works when producing their own educational multimedia projects for a specific course. The accepted standard to use is up to 10 percent, but in no event more than 30 seconds.

Q: What are Mp3's?
A: They are a type of digital music file. For legal use they can be purchased and downloaded from the Internet or copied from a personally owned CDs.

Q: What constitutes an illegal music file?
A: A song obtained either by download or by the copying from CD or other digital media that you have not paid for.

Q: What constitutes a legal music file?
A: A song or piece of music that you have purchased either by online download or via CD. However, you are still restricted by the 10 percent or 30-second guidelines.

Q: May I bring a purchased downloaded music file or CD and use it with my students in project work or for a presentation?
A: Yes, but the 10 percent, but no more than 30 seconds guidelines still apply. 

Q: May I put together a multimedia CD/DVD/Video with background music that I have purchased and sell it as a fundraiser?
A: No, you may not, unless you have obtained written permission from the copyright holder.

Q: What music resources does Putnam City have available to teachers?
A: The district has purchased a music library of CDs called Omni Music© which may be used legally for student projects, presentations, or background music on CD/DVDs. Omni Music© CDs are available at each high school and for check out at the district office.

There is also a program available called GarageBand® from Apple© that students can use to easily create their own songs and avoid copyright issues altogether. This program is available in all of the iMac labs in the district and also at the administration building.