I Can, I Can’t

Legal Framework

Author: COMPASS SUPPORT

Andres Umana on www.Unsplash.com

This is relatively simple but important quest exploring the use of creative commons licenses and the basics of copyright law.

In the UK, unauthorised use of a trademark, dealing with infringing articles, using illicit recordings carry a substantial fine and up to ten years of prison time. In Europe, there are no harmonised remedies for infringement of copyright, but there is an expectation that national governments have these in place and these will not differ significantly from those in the UK.

Learners are asked to explore the origins of copyright, definition and the liabilities breeching copyright can lead to and to look at how Creative Commons Licenses or other similar types of licenses can enable those active as practitioners or even consumers of art/culture can do so legally.

What’s the activity?

Private property, no trespassing sign Gene Gallin on www.Unsplash.com

1) Undertaking desktop research on the subject of copyright. Desktop research means researching published materials including books, articles, websites and videos. A useful tip is to define clearly before you start what you want to find out with 2/3 research goals, looking at what material you can access to deliver this (note if you do a search on “literature review on the topic on hand you will see a number of published sources organised around this topic which you can access). Note it is likely that a literature review will be academic material probably at post graduate level so if you do access some of these sources it is best to look out for those that seem to provide more basic definitions and explanations for the topic).

2) Writing up a short one page summary defining copyright – what it is and some basic background, legal implications if someone or an organisation breaches copyright. This should be written so can be understood by active citizens and communities engaging in culture and the arts who want to know about the subject matter.

What am I going to do?

The quest works well in groups so for the desktop research one small group of 2/3 learners could do desktop research on copyright, another on Creative Commons and another on wider tools for accessing information. Similarly, each group could write up their explanatory statements for their topic as well as statements for the Snakes and Ladder Board Game. They could also produce the board game together, sticking on the labels and play the game together.

Learners can access the material referenced – articles, websites and videos as well accessing their own through the process of desktop research.

They will need access to a computer with internet access. Working collectively in a library setting could be useful as computer access and hard copy of relevant books and articles will be readily accessible.

What will I learn?

Knowledge Acquired:

The origins, definition and implications around copyright law and what published material can be accessed, used and shared

Skills Acquired:

How to undertake basic desktop research (added value)

Attitude Acquired:

To be able to perform in a team setting delivering a specific goal and task
To be able to better communicate orally and written

What will I take home?

Acquire confidence and knowledge around safely accessing copyright material and being aware of the negative consequences of breaching copyright law.

Be able to communicate and teach others in a community setting on the dos and don’ts around copyright and safe access and distribution of copyright materials.

Following on this Quest learners could broaden their inquiry to look at legislation and regulation around data protection such as how photographs, video material or written material about people can be shared and published.

Resources
Click each section below to see all resources available.

Websites (URLs)

Culture and Creativity Regulatory Framework
https://culture.ec.europa.eu/

What is GDPR, the EU’s new data protection law?
https://www.gdpr.eu

Documents

Frontline Worker Toolkit

Aims and Objectives:

To generate knowledge and understanding of copyright law, the origins of copyright and the implications legally if there is a breach of copyright law by an individual and/or organisations,

Top tips:

Get a grip on your understanding of copyright law – if you get it wrong, it can have severe implications for individuals and organisations.
Look at other relevant legislation as a follow on such as GDPR
Use game formats to illustrate the pitfalls and the remedies of copyright and platforms for using and sharing copyright material

Can teachers use copyrighted materials in their lectures?
Copyrightuser.org.uk

I Can, I Can’t

Legal Framework

Introduction

ResourcesClick each section below to see all resources available.

Resources

Websites (URLs)

Resources
Click each section below to see all resources available.