NEOUCOM Copyright Policy

The current institutional “Policy on Copyright Compliance” was approved by the Board of Trustees on June 20, 1983, Resolution 1983-28, and stipulates that:

           WHEREAS, the Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine complies with the spirit and provisions of the Copyright Law (P.L. 94-553, Title 17, U.S. Code), which became effective January 1, 1978, the “Agreement on Guidelines for Classroom Copying in Not-For-Profit Educational Institutions” as promulgated by the Ad Hoc Committee on Educational institutions and Organizations on Copyright Law Revision, the Authors League of America, Inc., and the Association of American Publishers, Inc., on March 19, 1976; and

            WHEREAS, this policy includes the “fair use” guidelines covering off-air recording, duplication of audiovisual materials, and duplication of materials for teaching purposes, all of which are of significance to the educational purposes and programs of the College of Medicine, Now therefore,

            BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Trustees of the Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine that this institution’s declared policy and practice will be complete compliance with the provisions of these Laws and Guidelines; and

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that any student or employee who fails to comply with the Copyright Law and this Policy assumes personal responsibility for the payment and discharge of any civil or criminal judgment, including costs and attorney fees, which may be recovered as a result of such a violation of the copyright Laws.

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that, in the event the College of Medicine is held liable for such infringement, the College will insist on its right to full reimbursement from the infringing student or employee, for any money it has had to expend in the defense or discharge of such liability.

Statement on Copyright Use

It is the policy of the Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy (NEOUCOM) that its students, faculty, and staff will abide by federal copyright law and will refrain from using copyright-protected materials in university-related activities unless such use is deemed permissible under the relevant exemptions outlined in the fair use provision of the Copyright Act or the Technology, Education, and Copyright Harmonization (TEACH) Act, or unless prior appropriate permission or licensing has been obtained.

The legal use of copyrighted materials for instruction purposes requires institutional responsibility and oversight.  The following information is provided for direction and guidance on the use of copyright-protected materials in an instructional setting.

Liability Statement

All users of copyrighted materials and reproductions, including students, faculty, and staff, are ultimately responsible for satisfying the requirements of copyright law and licensing agreements.  These responsibilities include all issues that may arise in the copying and  the use of text, images, and digital media. Users are responsible for obtaining all necessary permissions pertaining to the use of such materials.

NEOUCOM Copyright Contacts

Inquiries regarding use of copyrighted materials should be directed to the Oliver Ocasek Regional Medical Information Center (OORMIC).  Send e-mail to refdesk@neoucom.edu.  A librarian will advise patrons on issues relating to the use of particular texts, images and digital media.  Be sure to include your telephone number in your e-mail.

For inquiries regarding administrative procedures for AIMS (our course management system), contact Sharon Combs-Eisenbarth, Course Management System Administrator (330) 325-6229.  Lisa Plymale, Collection Management Services in the Library, will help with creating article level links for AIMS journal readings (330-325-6621).

The Office of Health Professions Education (HPE) oversees administrative procedures for course development.  Copyright compliance officers within HPE are the Director of Curriculum and the Assistant Dean for Health Professions Education (330) 325-6329.

For legal clarification regarding copyright, contact Maria Schimer, JD, Legal Counsel (330) 325-6356.

The advice and information on copyrighted materials is not intended to substitute for and is in no way legal advice. For legal questions, contact Maria Schimer, JD, Legal Counsel (330) 325-6356.