Intellectual Property is the creation of our thoughts and ideas. We own them. They are intangible creative works that have commercial value. Intellectual Property drives us as a nation to improve upon and seek excellence in everything that we do (2014).

Business dictionary. (n.d.). Retrieved February 1, 2014, from: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/intellectual-property.html

Each piece of creative work that originates from an individual is unique, innovative, and one of a kind. The creators of such have the right to profit from their work and protect it (2014).


Business dictionary. (n.d.). Retrieved February 1, 2014, from: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/intellectual-property.html

*Copyrights protect the creative works of artists, composers, musicians, authors, designers. Examples include art, music, software, books.

*Patents protect a creators inventions for 2o years.

*Trademarks protect logos/symbols/names that recognize a company or particular product such as Burger King, Pepsi, and Lego (Anastasi, 2010).


Anastasi, S., & Daniels, S. (2010). Intellectual property for elementary/middle school [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from http://www.aipla.org/committees/committee_pages/Public-Education/cib/youth_...

[Untitled photo of bubbles] Retrieved February 1, 2014, From: http://www.haikudeck.com/app/edit/9sKbyuwXPo

Copyrights protect creative works for the life of the creator and belong exclusively to them. Examples include:
*books
*drawings
*paintings
*computer programs
*music
*songs
*poems

Public Domains are: works that were created before 1923; works that creators place for public use. There are no restrictions on public domain works and they may be used, copied, shared, and published freely by the public (Technology, n.d.).

In order to avoid plagiarizing, it is best to check all works that are considered public domain by resourcing numerous sites such as:
-Prelinger Archive
-PublicPhoto.org
-TotallyFreeImages.com
-US Government Image


Technology & Learning. (n.d.). Copyright and fair use guidelines for teachers. Retrieved from http://www.techlearning.com/techlearning/pdf/events/techforum/tx05/TeacherC...

Creative Commons is the term used to describe works that you can freely use under the specific guidelines of the creator. They state how and what works can be used and or shared. The creator benefits by having his/her work promoted and cross shared on a large scale. Users cannot profit from the use of creative commons works (Technology, n.d.)

General guidelines for using CC works are:
-Credit the author
-Do not change works
-Do not make a profit from use of works

Bottom line-the license is in effect to protect the creators work.

Technology & Learning. (n.d.). Copyright and fair use guidelines for teachers. Retrieved from http://www.techlearning.com/techlearning/pdf/events/techforum/tx05/TeacherC...

Fair Use is a term used to describe the use of copyrighted works for certain purposes. These purposes still credit the creator of the works and users cannot profit from that use (Goodwill, 2014).

Examples of Fair Use include:
-Teaching
-Commentaries
-Scholarly Research
-Reporting
-Criticism

Goodwill Community Foundation. (2014). Use information correctly: Copyright and fair use. Retrieved from http://www.gcflearnfree.org/useinformationcorrectly/module/12

Copyright Infringement is a serious offense! It is the unauthorized use, reproduction, and distribution of creative works that are protected by a copyright. It is a direct violation of copyright law.

Some people intentionally steal and claim others creative works as their own; while some are simply uneducated in properly giving credit to work they use and borrow. Be responsible and do the right thing-always cite your sources (Goodwill, 2014).


Goodwill Community Foundation. (2014). Use information correctly: Copyright and fair use. Retrieved from http://www.gcflearnfree.org/useinformationcorrectly/module/12

Avoiding copyright infringement is not only easy to do-it is the ethical thing to do. Using and/or profiting from someone's copyrighted work is theft.

Follow these simple steps to avoid copyright infringement.
-Always properly cite your sources
-Paraphrase creative works that you use in your own words
-Use Plagiarism detection sites to check your work
-Know the difference between copyright, public domain, and fair use.

Remember-don't simply copy-create your own work, and support it with properly cited material (Goodwill, 2014).

Goodwill Community Foundation. (2014). Use information correctly: Copyright and fair use. Retrieved from http://www.gcflearnfree.org/useinformationcorrectly/module/12

[Untitled photo of an Exit sign], Retrieved February 1, 2014, From: http://www.haikudeck.com/app/edit/9sKbyuwXPo