Copyright Assignment

I. Objective:
Students will study copyright laws and research their purpose, regulations, effects, and penalties.

II. Assignment:
A. Create a PowerPoint presentation on one of the following topics:
1. Copyright Laws in general
2. Sonny Bono Copyright Extension Act of 1998 (aka the “Mickey Mouse” Extension Act)
3. “Fair Use” doctrine and tests
4. Research Papers for Education
5. Phonorecords & Digital Phonorecords (records, tapes, CDs, Mp3)
6. Research for education, public service, or non-profit purposes
7. Peer to Peer coping and sharing (CDs, DVDs, music videos, ring tones, Internet information)
8. Dramatic and artistic works (art, photography, plays, musicals, choreography, movies)
9. Architectural drawings and diagrams
10. Other copyright related topic approved by instructor

B. Must include presentation on the following as they apply to your topic:
1. Which copyright law/regulation applies?
2. Why are copyright laws important to this topic?
3. How can copyright be infringed?
4. How does “Public Domain” apply to your topic?
5. Does “Fair Use” apply to this topic? {If yes, How does “Fair Use” apply}
6. What are the penalties for infringement?
7. How can infringement be prevented?
8. Who can you contact for permission?
9. How do copyright rules effect teens and students on this topic?

III. Additional Requirements:
A. References
1. Evaluate all reference Web sites using “Web Site Validity Checklist” worksheet and include on slide
2. Resource slide
a. Display all references used in PPT
b. Must have at least 5 references
c. Display on slide of presentation
3. Footnotes place URL at bottom of the slide

B. Length
1. Must be at least 3 minutes long to receive minimum credit
2. Should be 4 to 7 minutes long to receive full credit

C. Slides
1. Must have a “Title Slide”
2. Must have enough “body” slides to convey your message
3. Must have a bibliography slide (last slide)

IV. Presentation of your PowerPoint to the rest of the class

Web Site Validity Check List
To be completed for each website

Site URL:
Name/Title of site:
V=Valid … N=Not Valid
V or N-Who owns the Domain? (“Who is <URL>” use search engine – reliable or dubious)
V or N-Is the site a paid ad or infomercial? (big negative)
V or N-Is the name of the author listed? (biggie for valid research)
V or N-Who wrote the pages? (right click, view source, – check “META” tag names)
V or N-Is the author an expert? (“Who is <author>” search engine – reliable or dubious)
V or N-What is the purpose of the site? (stated by the author)
V or N-Does the overall site reflect a bias? (judgment call)
V or N-When was the site created? (judge for most recent facts needed)
V or N-When was the site last updated? (judge for most recent facts needed)
V or N-From where does the information come? (Check – believable/valid
resources?)
V or N-Is the information useful for my assignment? (your opinion)
Total V
Total N
Conclusion:
Validated Web Site Notes