Abstract/Program Book Description: The Copyright Game is a recognized method that increases one’s understanding of copyright because audience members are active participants. Modelled after the game shows of years gone by, the game includes a contestant panel, remote control devices for audience voting, and real copyright scenarios that are selected from the audience. Audience members get parting gifts at this extremely popular program.
Long Description/Scheduler Description: The Copyright Legislation, Education and advocacy Network (CLEAN), a joint subcommittee of OITP Advisory Committee and the Committee on Legislation is the only committee within ALA that provides copyright education programming at the Annual conference, and Washington, DC Annual should be no different. Our programs are always a bit of something different to fuel the interest of members. We promote our programs as a free educational service to members, and consistently attract librarians who wish to be part of the subcommittee.
One might think that a game is not suitable for explicating the details of copyright law, but this format has tremendous appeal. The discussions focus around actual copyright situations that librarians face. Members make contacts with other more experienced copyright librarians that they can follow up with, and soon they become part of the copyright team. We welcome all comers!
This year’s game will consist of a lightning round of “Name that Exception” where librarians learn about the many allowances afforded to them in the copyright law. The second section lets the audience members vote on lawful vs infringing copyright case studies. Each audience member is given a game remote control device that allows them to vote, and results are presented on screen. In the final round, audience members pose their own real-life copyright scenarios that the audience can vote on and then discuss.
We also will distribute copyright education materials that we call “tools.” These include the public domain slider, section 108 spinner, the fair use evaluator, and the four coasters of fair use that provide information on the four factors of fair use. These are both popular and useful for librarians asked to give copyright presentations and workshops.
Member librarians asked us to do this program again, saying we learned so much” so let’s not disappoint!
