Copyright in higher education is a complicated topic. Copyright is not meant to be a barrier to teaching, but rather an opportunity to explore new materials for a variety of sources.
What is copyright?
Copyright is category of rights that protects original and creative works. There are measures written into the law about what constitutes original or creative. Copyright protects works automatically. See the Copyright Basics page for more information on the basics of copyright.
Why should I bother with copyright? 
Copyright is necessary to recognize the creativity of scholars and helps them to monetize their work. It gives creators the ability to protect their labor from unlicensed or unauthorized use and create a market for their work.
But if everything is protected by copyright, what can I use?
There are resources available that can help you find materials for your courses. Whether you are teaching in-person or online, there are licensing options and educational exceptions that permit the use of copyrighted materials in education. You can browse the menu of topics and explore some of these exceptions more in-depth.
Where can I as an instructor learn about copyright?
This site is meant to serve as a resource for instructors, librarians, and instructional support. You can find links to Videos, Books, Trainings, as well as a blog about stories and commons questions related to copyright and education. The Share page also includes forums for users to ask questions and share experiences with each other.