The LNDL Research & Learning Program

Copyright literacy focuses on creating competencies in:

• Understanding the basics of U.S. copyright law and how to apply it
• Identifying when a work is work is copyrighted
• How to obtain copyright in a work and protect it
• Understanding fair use and how to apply it
• Navigating licenses including open licenses such as Creative Commons
• Obtaining permissions

According to the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), "Copyright Literacy can be defined as sufficient copyright knowledge to be able to take well informed decisions on how to use copyrighted materials. It includes understanding the structure, functioning and implications of the copyright system, as laws, practices, and user expectations evolve."

The Copyright Information Center provides education about copyright matters to faculty, staff, and students at Loyola University Maryland and Notre Dame of Maryland University through: 

• Online help guides
• Individual consultations
• Drop-in workshops for faculty, staff, and students. 

Instruction sessions/modules are also available for integration into courses where students have creative assignments that may involve using other people's copyrighted works or are preparing students for professions focused on the creation or use of intellectual property.