The TEACH Act is an acronym for the Technology, Education and Copyright Harmonization Act of 2002. The purpose of the TEACH Act is to provide online classes a way to perform or display copyrighted materials. There are very strict requirements to adhere to regarding the TEACH Act for copyrighted materials.
What is not covered under the TEACH Act?
- Anything that's produced and sold for performance or display as part of a digitally transmitted mediated instructional activity. This includes videos that were created as instructional materials and are available for purchase in a streaming format.
- Illegally acquired copies of materials. For example, you cannot go to a movie theatre and digitally film a movie to show in your online class.
What is covered under the TEACH Act providing that other conditions are met?
- Complete performances of non-dramatic literary and musical works.
- Limited portions of other works.
What sort of other conditions are required?
- The work must be an integral part of the class session and relates to the content being taught.
- Must be similar to what you would use in a face-to-face class.
- Materials cannot be used for entertainment purposes.
- Materials cannot replace a textbook.
- Must be used within D2L so that only students enrolled in the class has access.
- Has to be provided in a format that prevents downloading and saving by students for future viewing.
- You need to provide a statement to students that the work is copyrighted.