True or False: Copyright Myths Exposed, Part 2
Part one of this article appeared in the October 2007 issue of the HSLS Update.
Copyright Myth 3:
Articles found in open access journals are not protected by copyright.
Although open access journals provide free access to full-text journal articles, these articles are still protected by copyright, held either by the publisher or the author. One advantage of open access journals is that article links can be freely distributed, without violating copyright or licenses.
Copyright Myth 4:
Items on the Internet that can be freely viewed are in the "public domain” and can be used without concern about copyright infringement.
Just because the public has access to an item does not mean it is in the public domain. A work is in the public domain if it is no longer under copyright protection or if it originally did not meet the criteria for copyright protection. Visit the chart compiled by Cornell University to see what is considered to be in the public domain and able to be freely used without the permission of the former copyright owner www.copyright.cornell.edu/public_domain.
--Melissa Ratajeski
