Is this violation of copy right?

Question

A professor handed out thousands of questionnaires for her own research, but the questions were not her own but a modification of questions in a book. I'd like to know if this professor has violated copy right when she used modified questionnaire for her own purpose? Thanks a lot for instructing me.

Answer 1

Without more information, I would say NO! It was not a violation of copyright.

There is a thing called "fair use" regarding the copyright acts which allows quoting, excerpts, and similar uses of a copyrighted work. Had the instructor copied the entire book, this probably would have been a violation.

Also, libraries and educational institutions are exempt from certain portions of the copyright act. For example, libraries are allowed (with certain restrictions) to make copies of material they own.

Also copyright is a federal issue and would not vary from state to state.

Answer 2

Yes, although if she copied it from an education book it is allowed by the publisher for professors and instructors to modify the material for the purpose of education.

Answer 3

Nope, not a violation of copyright law.

If it was copied VERBATIM (word for word), then you might have a case. However, textbooks do allow legal usage of copying review questions in the interest of learning.

If the questions were modified, then no, it's not copyright infrigment by ANY stretch of the imagination.

Answer 4

Try the site below for research on this issue. Make sure to change the state/location in which you reside. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

What were the questions? What kind of book? If the questions were about something very specific, then it could be a vioaltion, but if they're like "What kind of dog do you have?" then I don't see a problem.

Answer 6

Yeh.. every teacher does that. no one notices really