Welcome to Lewis University Library's guide to copyright and Creative Commons.
In this guide, we will introduce you to the history of copyright, what copyright entails, and the development of initiatives to address restrict copyright policies, such as Creative Commons and Open Access. This guide will also work in tandem with our LibGuide on the Lewis University Institutional Repository and introduce how copyright and Creative Commons works with our Institutional Repository.
As a note, copyright varies according to the specific laws and regulations enacted in each individual country. This guide only deals with U.S. copyright law, only mentioning international copyright as it intersects with U.S. copyright law.
Nothing in this LibGuide is meant to be legal advice. The information contained within this LibGuide is general information and in no way should be implied or construed to be legal advice. While the guide author is knowledgeable about the subject, they are not a legal professional, lawyer, or otherwise qualified to give legal advice. The content henceforth can provide readers with information and can help them in most general scenarios, but it is not comprehensive or able to address every possible situation. If a reader desires legal advice, please reach out to a qualified professional. The guide author can provide further information on the content within the LibGuide and can discuss matters surrounding Creative Commons, Fair Use, Open Access, Open Educational Resources, and Copyright in general terms but cannot and will not make definitive judgements on any scenario, question, or legal issue that a reader may have.
Copyright and Creative Commons: A Resource Guide by Jason Smith is licensed under CC BY 4.0
