Recently Asked Questions (RAQs)

We are reviewing our copyright policies and procedures at our BOCES. We are specifically reviewing student work. We understand, recognize, and respect that students hold the copyright to works they create. Our student community includes, but is not limited to, students with exceptional learning needs, behavior concerns, and our Career and Technical Education High School. Sample items of student work may include, but not limited to, writing pieces, artwork, metal working projects, carpentry projects, cake decorating, and hair design. We often use student works to decorate the hallway/classroom, highlight best practices, promotional materials, social media postings, BOCES and Component District publications, general communication home, curriculum writing, plus many other examples.

We want to ensure we are legally and ethically using the student work correctly.

• Are we allowed to use the student work unless the parent/guardian submits an opt out request? The opt out request would be included in a parent packet sent home. This would be similar to our use of student images policy.
• If a parent/guardian permission form is required, is there a distinction between displaying student work in the hall/class versus district publications versus social media?

As always, THANK YOU for all the work and dedication you do on behalf of libraries and schools! It is appreciated.

If a teacher teaches a novel in school, can they show the DVD of the movie under fair use?

We were asked about signage to post over the copier at a schools where educational materials are copied. Below is some template language with footnotes explaining why they say what they do.  Of course, before posting in your school or library, check with your lawyer!

Can a music accompaniment part be recorded ahead of time for a performance as long as the school or library has a copy of the sheet music? Can a few modifications be added to the accompaniment as long as the heart of the work is preserved? Can this recording be shared among schools and libraries as long as each organization has a copy of the sheet music with performance rights?

A local county Music Educators Association has approached my BOCES and has asked if we would house & manage their music library. Apparently, the music library was at one point housed at this BOCES, but was then moved to one of the participating districts when BOCES said they would charge a fee for the service. It is my understanding that multiple school districts buy, share, make copies and physically loan choral and band sheet music to each other. One of the music teachers has indicated that the library consists of 581 choir pieces and that each piece has 100-200 copies (and that’s not counting the band music).

I’m concerned that the number of copies the teachers have made of each choir piece is a copyright infringement and also am unsure if it’s even legitimate to loan and share the original pieces among multiple districts for the purpose of shared usage and I’m hoping you can help point me in the right direction in terms of how a music lending library could work (legally!) in terms of copyright, licensing and fair use.