Copyright issues

Plagiarism is a serious issue. As teachers, who are academics as well, we have to teach our pupils how to work academically. This includes to mention every source, the pupils have used. Also, it is a manner of law. Using pictures, music, videos or anything without asking for permission is illegal. Pupils have to be aware they can be sued for damages. Breaching copyright is not a trifling offence. As teachers we must make this clear to our pupils. In the following the list summarizes the most important things to remember.


1.     Do not copy any...
-       web links,
-        others' lists of resources
-        original texts
-        pictures
-        videos
-        audio files
... from the web without giving the source!

2.     Ask the author/publisher (the person who created a website) before you include his or her works on your website.

3.     German websites must have an Impressum where one can find information about the publisher, including name and address, phone number or e-mail address.

4.     If you take over a whole sentence from another person/website be sure to mention the source. Also, when you just take over an idea, don´t forgot to mention the source!

5.     Use only your own or free graphics. Google for example has a function that enables you to search for graphics that you are allowed to use.

6.     You cannot put the contents of another person's or organizations web site on your Web page or copy and paste others' lists of resources on your own web page

7.     Do not forget to give quotations whenever you use graphics, texts from another person or websites.

8.     Before you print out or download material (texts, graphics, images) from a website, be sure that the webmaster of the page gives you the permission to do so