Legal Question in Intellectual Property in California

To what extent can an instructor incorporate copyrighted materials in a new, com

I am considering offering a service to teachers and curriculum authors to sell their curriculum electronically to the world via a website. I am wondering to what extent they could incorporate copyrighted materials (such as text books, other printed works, images, etc.) into their curriculum. Is it legal to simply reference these works and link to where they are available on the internet, or can they provide copies of the works as they might in the classroom?

Further, if the curriculum is based upon a required textbook, but is augmented by the teacher's own activities, schedule, and other lesson plans, is it legal for them to include, for instance, the Table of Contents of the textbook as an outline for curriculum's digital organization?


Asked on 2/13/03, 7:59 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Keith E. Cooper Keith E. Cooper, Esq.

Re: To what extent can an instructor incorporate copyrighted materials in a new,

It would probably be safe to include the title/author/publisher information about the textbooks and a link to purchase. But, if you include a link to someone else's site, you would want to get their permission. (If you have the capability, though, it would seem to make good business sense for you to make a deal with the publishers to sell the books on your site!)

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Answered on 2/21/03, 6:14 pm


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