Disclaimer
Note: Southeastern NY Library Resources Council cannot give, or endorse, any legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney who specializes in intellectual property.
Relevant Law to Inter-library Loan
- Copyright Law - Inter-Library Loan
Original text of the law governing the reproduction and sharing of materials by libraries and archives. (Title 17 section 108). This is the section of the law most relevant for inter-library loan.
- Circular from US Copyright Office: Copyright Basics
This helpful 10 page document covers the basics of copyright in the US.
- CONTU Guidelines
The CONTU guidelines were established in 1978 to add clarifications to the original copyright law governing ILL. The "Rule of 5" originates from CONTU, and is suggested as best practice in order to avoid copyright infringement. This links to the complete text of the CONTU guidelines.
- Copyright warning
When providing article copies through ILL, check that there is a copyright statement visible. Many e-journal articles include a copyright notice when downloaded. If there is no notice, you can attach the journal issue's copyright notice or use this standard notice of copyright.
Fair Use
- Copyright Law - Governing Fair Use
Text of copyright law (Title 17 section 107), which provides the criteria for fair use of materials.
- Copyright & Fair Use, Stanford University Libraries
This website has several fair use and copyright resources including an FAQ, helpful charts and tools, a blog, and copyright case opinion summaries.
- Fair Use Evaluator
This tool helps individuals document the specific information needed to support a fair use evaluation.
General Copyright Resources
- Copyright Crash Course
The University of Texas Libraries maintains a Copyright Crash Course, which has a section specifically for librarians. This includes information on Section 108 as well as fair use and licenses for digital resources.
- Copyright Clearance Center White Paper
This white paper, published in 2013, provides a brief but thorough overview of copyright considerations in inter-library loan.
- ALA Copyright
A wiki managed by ALA with many resources including links to copyright law and relevant copyright resources. The wiki also has information on fair use, the First Sale Doctrine, use of videos / movies in the library, and the TEACH act.
- Copy Talk Webinar Archive
An archive of recorded ALA webinars relating to copyright issues.
- Kraemer Copyright Conference Archives
This annual conference provide librarians the opportunity to learn about U.S. Copyright, as well as recent updates to relevant law and how they impact library services.
Is it in the public domain?
- Copyright Terms & Public Domain
A helpful chart from Cornell University detailing copyright terms and indicating when specific materials become public domain.
- Public Domain Slider
A tool from ALA to help determine the copyright status of a work.