"primary objective of copyright is not to reward the labor of authors but to promote the progress of science and useful arts... copyright rewards originality, not effort..."
Justice Sandra Day O'Connor
The Law
Article I Section 8 of the Constitution of the United States:
The Congress shall have Power To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;
The U.S. Constitution provides the foundation upon which copyright law is based. Copyright owners have the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, modify, display and publicly perform their works. Because of advances in technology individuals must increasingly be aware of copyright implications when using a wide range of materials. Copyright violations related to copying printed materials, materials in digital format, audio and video recordings, music, Internet transmissions, and computer programs and databases, create potential legal liability for the university and the individuals involved
LII Legal Information Institue at Cornell University -- Search or Browse TITLE 17 - COPYRIGHTS in the U.S. Code Collection
United States Code -- Search or Browse database containing the general and permanent laws of the United States.
Legal Counsel
BYU General Counsel (Legal Office)Dave Thomas or
Mike Orem
(801) 378-3528