For educators, copyright issues have dangerous implications. As educators, not only are we responsible for following copyright laws, but we are also responsible for making sure students know and follow laws as well. Laws are the cornerstones of any society. Whether educators agree with the laws or not, they need to make sure that the rule of law is upheld. If an teacher breaks the law, that sends the message to students that laws do not have to be followed if an individual doesn't want to follow them. This is a dangerous precedent to set. How can a teacher then be angry or punish a students for copying and pasting an assignment or not following classroom rules? Educators cannot have a "do what I say, not what I do" attitude. They must be good role models for their students.
Not only is it important for their students that teachers follow the law, but it is important for the teachers themselves. Teachers may get themselves into a lot of legal trouble if they break copyright laws. Penalties for breaking copyright infringements range from steep fines to jail time or both, depending on the severity of the offense. It is not a secret that teachers do not make a great deal of money, so it is important that teachers follow the law so that they do not end up losing what little money they do have.
On a personal note, I do disagree with the changes that have been made in our copyright laws. As stated in Dr. Langran's article, it is clear that Thomas Jefferson did not intend to have such lengthy copyright laws (26). He first intended 28 years as the maximum length of copyright. Now we have 70 years AFTER the author's death. That means that people are not allowed to freely use materials until 70 years after an author dies. Who gets all of that money? Not even the author's children will benefit from this law (unless the author dies right after obtaining copyright.) I feel this law is a crime against society. Teachers use materials, books, music, etc. to enrich society, clearly not to make money. If districts and teachers have to pay exorbitant amounts of money to pay for the copyrighted material of someone who died 50 years ago, they have two options: either do not use the material at all (robbing students of important exposures to culture and information) or use less materials to teach students what can be afforded (again limiting students' access to culture and education). Districts with less money have to teach fewer things because of budgetary restraints, which means that students form poorer areas start out life at even more of an educational deficit. To me, such laws should have never been passed because they are against the foundations of our country and the intents of our founding fathers, and they are crimes against our children and society. In the end, these laws promote the legacy of the lazy rich and hurt our children. I can't think of something more unjust and despicable. To me, these laws spit in the face of America's basic ideals of freedom.
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