CSI offers a 1-credit online course through the Library Science Department on Copyright and Intellectual Property (LIIS 260). This course provides an introduction to the nature and forms of intellectual property (IP) in the modern technological world, the rights of intellectual property creators and owners, and the rights and responsibilities of intellectual property users. The course also provides an overview of the principles of copyright law with an emphasis on the application within an educational environment. CSI faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to take this course.

LIIS260 is a new online course offered through Blackboard, CSI online course management system. Offering the course online makes it accessible to everyone who has access to a computer and Internet connection. Students can learn from their home during times that are most convenient to them, or they can access the online course from one of the open labs on our campus. Participants in this course are NOT required to meet face-to-face or to log in during pre-determined times. The course is time and place independent. Nevertheless, the course is not independent study. Participants will be required to actively participate in online discussions throughout the course. The course involves a great deal of reading, online independent research, and writing. Students will also participate in a collaborative group project.

Topics covered include:

• What is copyright?
• Who can claim copyright?
• What works are protected?
• What is not protected by copyright?
• Ownership of copyright
• How to secure copyright
• Notice of copyright
• Copyright registration
• How long copyright protection endures?
• Transfer of copyright
• Limitations on exclusive rights
• Fair Use Doctrine
• Public domain
• Compliance strategies
• Defenses available for those who have received a claim on an alleged infringement
• Seeking and granting permission
• Copyright laws and regulations
• Individual liability for infringement
• Criminal consequences
• Copyright in the digital age
• New opportunities and challenges
• Web-related issues
• Distance learning
• Coursepacks
• New developments and hot topics

For more information about the online course contact, Teri Fattig at (208)732-6501 or tfattig@csi.edu.

Faculty, staff and students who are not able to take the online course, can use the links to sites that contain vital copyright information. Links can be found under the Copyright Facts and Online Copyright Resources pages.

Books, articles, and other copyright material can also be found in the CSI Library. For more information on resources available through our library, contact Steve Poppino at (208)732-6504 or spoppino@csi.edu.