Purpose
This policy outlines the School of Foreign Languages' (SFL) commitment to respecting copyright law and promoting the fair use of copyrighted materials for educational purposes within its closed circuit environment. This policy aims to balance the rights of copyright holders with the educational needs of our instructors and students.
Scope
This policy applies to all SFL instructors, students, staff, and visitors who use copyrighted materials in any format (e.g., print, digital, audio, video) for teaching, learning, research, or administrative purposes within the SFL's closed network and facilities.
Guiding Principles
The SFL adheres to the principles of Turkish Copyright Law (Law No. 5846 on Intellectual and Artistic Works), the Council of Higher Education Law No. 2547, and the regulations of Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University regarding intellectual property. We recognize the importance of respecting intellectual property rights and encourage responsible use of copyrighted materials.
Fair Use for Educational Purposes
The SFL recognizes the importance of fair use for educational purposes. Instructors and students may use copyrighted materials within the SFL's closed circuit environment for activities directly related to teaching and learning, such as:
- Classroom instruction
- Course assignments
- Research
- Presentations
- Internal training materials
Use of Copyrighted Materials
Instructors and students may use copyrighted materials within the SFL's closed network for educational purposes as outlined in Section 4. This includes, but is not limited to, excerpts from textbooks, articles, images, and multimedia content.
All users are expected to properly attribute all copyrighted materials used in their teaching, learning, research, and creative works. This includes citing the author, title, publisher, and other relevant information. Failure to do so may constitute plagiarism.
Sharing copyrighted material outside the closed network is prohibited without obtaining explicit permission from the copyright holder.
Article 34: Selected and Collected Works for Education and Training
The SFL acknowledges the provisions of Article 34 of Law No. 5846 concerning the use of selected and collected works for educational and training purposes. Within the scope of this article, the following uses are permitted:
- Permitted Materials: State publications, sections of books, and articles from journals may be used for educational purposes.
- Limitations on Reproduction: Photocopying or digital reproduction of these materials is limited to a single section of a book or 10% of the total content of the book, whichever is less. This limitation applies to each individual use.
- Attribution: Proper attribution must be given to the original source of the material, including author, title, publication, and other relevant information.
- Educational Purpose: Use of these materials must be strictly for educational and training purposes within the SFL's closed network. Commercial use is strictly prohibited.
Open Educational Resources (OER)
The SFL encourages the use and creation of Open Educational Resources (OER). OER are educational materials that are freely available for use, adaptation, and sharing. Instructors are encouraged to explore and utilize OER whenever possible to reduce copyright concerns and provide high-quality, accessible learning materials. The SFL will support instructors in the development and sharing of OER.
Software Licensing
All software used within the SFL must be properly licensed. Users are responsible for complying with the terms of all software licenses. Unauthorized copying or distribution of software is strictly prohibited. The SFL will provide guidance and resources on software licensing to ensure compliance.
Copyright Training
The SFL is committed to educating its community about copyright law and best practices. Regular copyright training will be provided to instructors and students covering topics such as fair use, attribution, OER, Article 34 provisions, and software licensing.
Reporting Copyright Infringement
Any suspected instances of copyright infringement should be reported to the SFL administration immediately. The SFL will investigate all reported incidents and take appropriate action.
Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed and updated periodically to ensure its continued effectiveness and compliance with applicable laws and regulations.