Can I use copyrighted works for teaching purposes?
October 23, 2023 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Verena Friedendahl
Dear lawyer,
I am a teacher at a primary school and regularly teach my students using various materials, including copyrighted works such as texts, images, and videos. I am unsure whether I am allowed to use these materials in class without violating copyright law.
Currently, I mainly use materials from textbooks and worksheets that I have found online. I am concerned that I may not have the necessary rights to use these materials. I would like to ensure that I am acting in accordance with the law and not risking any legal consequences.
Could you please explain to me what rules and restrictions there are in copyright law regarding the use of copyrighted works in education? Are there any specific exceptions or licenses that allow me to use these materials legally? What steps should I take to ensure that I do not commit any copyright infringements?
Thank you in advance for your help and support. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Erwin Hofstetter
Dear Mr. Hofstetter,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the use of copyrighted works in teaching. As a lawyer specializing in copyright law, I can provide you with detailed information on this matter.
In general, copyrighted works such as texts, images, and videos cannot be used without the consent of the copyright holder. This means that as a teacher, you must adhere to certain rules and restrictions when using materials in teaching that were not created by you.
However, there are exceptions and regulations in the German Copyright Act that allow teachers to use copyrighted works in teaching without violating the law. One important regulation is the right to quote, which allows you to use short excerpts from copyrighted works to illustrate certain facts. It is important that the quotes are appropriate and that the sources are correctly attributed.
Furthermore, in Germany there is the so-called "school privilege," which allows teachers to use copyrighted works in teaching as long as it is within the scope of the lesson and for educational purposes. This means that you may use materials from textbooks and worksheets as long as it is solely for teaching purposes and not for commercial use.
To ensure that you do not violate copyright laws, it is important to observe the mentioned exceptions and regulations in the Copyright Act. Additionally, you should ensure that you correctly attribute the sources of the materials used and obtain verifiable permissions if you wish to use materials that do not fall under the mentioned exceptions.
I recommend that you familiarize yourself thoroughly with the regulations of copyright law and consult a lawyer if you are unsure. This will help you ensure that you are acting in accordance with the law and avoid any legal consequences.
I hope that this information has been helpful to you. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
Verena Friedendahl
