Even when no copyright symbol is in evidence, every creative work is protected by copyright. Whether you are interested in displaying a graphic from someone else's web site or protecting your own creative efforts, it is useful to understand the federal laws and University policies that protect original works against plagiarism or theft.

Fair Use
Federal copyright law allows for fair use (without permission) of copyrighted material for educational purposes. To determine whether use of copyright material falls under Fair Use guidelines, there are four factors to consider. To a certain extent, stricter adherence to any one of these factors can compensate for liberties taken with another. The following is the full text of the fair use statute from the U.S. Copyright Act.

Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976. Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use

"Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified in that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright.

"In determining whether the use made of a work in any particular case is a fair use the factors to be considered shall include --

1. the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;
2. the nature of the copyrighted work;
3. the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and
4. the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.

The fact that a work is unpublished shall not itself bar a finding of fair use if such finding is made upon consideration of all the above factors."

All graphics, photographs and text appearing on Delaware State University's home page and subsequent web pages are protected by copyright. Redistribution or commercial use is prohibited without express written permission.

To report electronic copyright infringements originating at Delaware State University, please notify:

Carol Andrejak
DSU Webmaster
1200 N. DuPont Hwy.
Dover, DE 19901
andrejak@desu.edu
302-857-7045

All infringement claims must include the following:

• a physical or electronic signature
• identification of the infringed work
• identification of the infringed material
• contact information for the complaint, e.g. address, telephone number, electronic mail address
• a statement that the complaining party has a good faith belief that use of the material in the manner complained of is not authorized by the copyright owner or the law
• a statement that the information contained in the notification is accurate, and under penalty of perjury, that the complaining party is authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner.

Logos and Other Licensed University Marks and Photography

Logos and graphics relating to Delaware State University are registered and are subject to licensing agreements. If you have questions about legal use of these items, see the Licensing Resource Group, Inc. website or contact the Office of Marketing and Promotions. If you are interested in using or obtaining photographic images, contact the Office of Public Relations.

Send questions or comments to andrejak@desu.edu.
DSU Webmaster
1200 N. DuPont Hwy.
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 857-7045

Delaware State University is an Equal Opportunity Institution.