This guide provides an introduction to copyright, with a focus on instruction, for USC faculty, students, and staff. This guide does NOT constitute legal advice.
Contact the USC Office of the General Counsel for guidance using copyrighted works for education, research, and work at USC.
If the item in question is a course reading, streaming media, or other item used for teaching, submit a request via USC Libraries Course Reserves or share items using links from the USC Libraries catalog.
Articles, ebooks, chapters, and other online information resources licensed by the USC Libraries are available for USC students, staff, and faculty to obtain one copy for personal use.
Copyright laws and license restrictions state that you cannot make additional copies and distribute them, or place your copy online for free download. Learn how to use Course Reserves to share materials in classes or to create your own links that comply with licensing rules.
All USC affiliates can make specially-formatted links to place in emails, on syllabi, and on webpages, to provide access to licensed books, articles, and other materials to other USC students, staff, and faculty. Watch the video below to learn how to create these links.
Norris Medical Library:
Wilson Dental Library:
View Health Sciences Libraries tutorials or all USC Libraries tutorials