To avoid infringing upon copyright, what should an educator do before duplicating materials?

Obtaining written permission from the owner of the copyright is essential for legally duplicating materials. Copyright law protects the rights of creators, ensuring they can control how their work is used. This means that before duplicating any materials that are not in the public domain or covered by licensure that allows duplication, it is crucial for an educator to secure explicit permission from the copyright holder. This protects both the educator and the institution from potential legal repercussions that can arise from unauthorized use of copyrighted materials.

Making only one copy for instructional use or one copy per student may still violate copyright laws if that duplication is not authorized by the copyright holder. Having a lawyer review all duplication activities might be beneficial for complex copyright issues, but it does not relieve the necessity of obtaining permission from the copyright owner. Hence, obtaining written permission is the most direct and effective way to ensure compliance with copyright laws.