U.S. Institutions: Legal & Compliance Framework
Incorporating copyrighted educational materials into online higher education courses requires careful alignment with copyright law, institutional policy, and instructional design best practices.
U.S. colleges and universities operate primarily under:
• Copyright Act of 1976
• TEACH Act
• Americans with Disabilities Act
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Core Compliance Elements
A. Fair Use Analysis
• Conduct and document a four-factor fair use review.
• Emphasize transformative use in online instruction.
• Avoid systematic substitution for textbooks.
B. TEACH Act Requirements
If relying on the TEACH Act:
• Content must be part… >>>