Copyright at Babson

The information presented here is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice.

May I make a copy of an image?

Copyright applies to images as well as to written works, which means that the same policies apply:

  • You may make a copy of an image if it has passed into the public domain: When Does a Work Pass into the Public Domain?
  • Use in a class setting is okay, provided fair use guidelines are met. If it is to be used outside class, check at the source to determine copyright permission.
  • Using a small amount of an image and/or a thumbnail version of a larger image is more likely to fall under the auspices of fair use.
  • Illustrations and photos from many government sites may be copyright free, but the use of these "copyright-free" images may still have certain restrictions. For instance, the use of agencies' official emblems to implicitly or explicitly endorse any product, organization, policy, or agenda is strictly prohibited by law. Be sure to read the copyright statement at the particular site of the document you are using.

May I reuse a cartoon?

Cartoons are treated like any other image for copyright. For use outside the classroom, permission must be obtained from the copyright holder. Cartoon copyright owners generally have very visible copyright policies on their web sites.

  • The New Yorker has a web site devoted to licensing its cartoons: Cartoon Bank
  • Universal UClick, home of Dilbert and Peanuts, is the content syndicate for a large number of cartoons. They have an entire page devoted to explain allowances for classroom/educational use of their content as well as other licensing options.

May I link to images on my web site?

You are responsible for copyright permission for your own web site.