Legality of Certain Forum Uploads

[tcampbell]

I have created some amazing flipcharts for use with programs we are using at our school. I haven't uploaded them to the planet because I have been concerned about copywrite legality issues. For example I have created the whole calendar for the Saxon Math 3 grade level 2, which I use in addition to Growing With Math, but it already has all of the information that coincides with the lessons in it. I know I can have it since I built it and own the program, however I don't know if I can upload it for others to have access to legally. Can anyone tell me whether or not uploading such a flip would violate copywrite laws?

[BenPosner]

Tony,

I somehow missed this post earlier today, but when I saw your reply to my other question for you, I went back and found it. Now, I am NOT A LAWYER, but there was a lawyer interviewed by the Planet staff, and that article is located here (http://www.prometheanplanet.com/server.php?show=ConWebDoc.3118). Also, before you submit a flipchart, it asks you "Please do not submit flipcharts that include copyright protected material or material that you do not have permission to use. For further guidance on using copyright protected material in flipcharts, please read the Planet news article (http://www.prometheanplanet.com/forum/../server.php?show=ConWebDoc.3118) on copyright to give you some basic guidance."

Having said all that, if a flipchart is "inspired" by a specific book, reading series, and whatnot, I can't see it being a problem (as long as credit is given). I think the big problem comes when you actually use the images, words, and directions taken directly from a text book, which, having looked at some of your other flipcharts, I don't think you have been doing. For example, there is a great flipchart from one of the Teacher Feature flipcharts that is based on "Tales of the Fourth Grade nothing," but I don't think it uses the images from the book, so I am not sure it violates copyright.

Hopefully this will help, and if not, I hope someone else will chime in and give more feedback.

~Ben

[lizhoppe]

I wish there were a way we could share resources between districts that have the same adopted curriculum. I, too, have hesitated to put up the flipcharts I have made because they are based on the adopted curriculum. But if someone else is at a school with the same adopted curriculum (such as Saxon math Grade 3) they already have access to the parts you included, so you wouldn''t be giving them anything they didn't already have access to.

It's Saturday, did that make any sense? I save my logic for my M-F thinking.

[tcampbell]

I really like that idea. I wish there was a way for some flipcharts to have a popup, if you will, that states something like this before download: I agree and understand that I may only download this flipchart resource if my school / classroom owns ______ program _____ edition. Something like that might help us share things, while hopefully not infringing on copywrite.

[lizhoppe]

Interesting idea there, Tony. Like if there was a "curriculum based" portion of the resources page, and you could somehow search by adopted curriculum used and grade level, or even state.

I guess the other option would be to post on the board a "I have flip charts for ___ grade math using _______ curriculum. If you use this curriculum, e-mail and I'll send them to you" kind of thing.

I wish I used Saxon math so I could use what you have done. Sounds like it's useful to you. Darn copyright.

[tcampbell]

What math do you use? If you or Ben would like the file, I'll email you the one without all of the lesson specific information. Once I know I won't break copywrite, I'll upload it to the Planet.

[Schimbeck]

What math do you use? If you or Ben would like the file, I'll email you the one without all of the lesson specific information. Once I know I won't break copywrite, I'll upload it to the Planet.You get to use Saxton? How are you not stuck with Growing with Mathematics?

[tcampbell]

We use Growing With Math. I use the calendaring from Saxon for additional practice. I also use it as a part of my math centers, and I use pieces for remediation. However, that said, Growing With Math is still our school and district's math program and is used as our primary instructional resource.

[srchlc]

I use Saxon and I think it rocks! :)

Holli

[kbenson]

I was drawn to this thread because I'm teaching an inservice course on Interactive Whiteboard Technologies (Promethean specifically). This question of copyright also came up during this inservice. Ultimately, I'd like textbook publishers to include flipcharts specific to their programs to districts that purchase their programs. If the publishers don't have the technical expertise to accomplish this task, they should contract it out to districts / planet members.

Our schouls uses the Calendar Math program and spent a bit to get it. Some teachers have dropped the print materials altogether and are using it via the ActivBoard. It seems like a waste of paper to have the print materials, but the program is worthwhile and obviously we didn't want to violate copyright so we purchased a copy for each teacher.

Just something to think about! :confused:

[tcampbell]

The Saxon calendar math program? If so, I didn't know there was a full digital version of the calendar.

[LisaD]

I would agree. it would make sense for the textbook makers to offer interactive materials with their textbooks and not just print outs. I would recommend that they be told exactly that.

And that they should join the Promethean Developer Network as well!. It is at http://www.prometheanplanet.com/pdn/

There are some publishers creating materials like this but not enough.

Lisa