Student Primer on Copyright

Research Papers, Senior Projects and Creative Works

Students can read and research books, journal articles, and papers and use the information and ideas found in formulating their own research papers for classes. Ideas and facts are not copyrightable. It is the "tangible expression of the ideas" that is copyrighted.

One cannot copy someone else's expression of ideas. When an entire work is copied, it has been plagiarized. When significant portions are copied, copyright infringement may have occurred.

Students can use small portions of works under the "fair use doctrine" provided they quote and reference the original source for homework, papers, and projects.

If a paper is to be published, used for commercial purposes, or, as in senior projects, be available for viewing by the public, the student should get permission from the copyright holder to use significant amounts of copyrighted written materials, or single photographs, graphs, images, etc.

Cal Poly Policy on Intellectual Property
Under Revision to comply with the California State University (CSU) guidelines by the Intellectual Property Committee, Cal Poly.
  • For interim patent information, contact the Office of Research and Graduate Studies, Cal Poly.
  • For interim copyright information, contact the Library Intellectual Property Office, Cal Poly.
  • According to the CSU, the student owns the copyright to papers, projects etc. done in the course of completing their degree work at Cal Poly or any other CSU. They also own the copyright to their Senior Project except in cases where they share copyright ownership with a company, the university, another student or a faculty member.
  • Copyright for research and projects done as a paid employee of Cal Poly (work for hire) generally belong to the university.
Senior Project Copyright Registration
Senior Projects are automatically under copyright protection as soon as they appear in a tangible form. They do not have to be registered through the U.S. Copyright Office to be copyright protected. However, if you want to register the copyright, the procedure and forms are all on the U.S. Copyright Office web site.
Copyright Basics
Cal Poly Library Intellectual Property Office "short" version of Copyright.
Copyright, Fair Use and the Internet (PowerPoint tutorial)
Lolly Gasaway. University of North Carolina.
Cal Poly Computing Policies
These policies review the appropriate usage of computers and web sites on the Cal Poly Server. They cover computer crimes, offensive materials, commercial use, use of Cal Poly logo or name, music downloads, etc.
Chilling Effects Clearinghouse
Product of Harvard, Univ. of Maine, Stanford, and Berkeley Law Schools. Explains internet copyright law. Publishes Internet Cease and Desist Letters to show direction of Internet copyright infringement complaints. Explains the DMCA and shows latest news on enforcement and protest.