Yael Arieff

SLM521

June 2, 2005

In order to describe the copyright laws, I searched on the copyright quiz website at:

http://www.techlearning.com/db_area/archives/TL/2002/10/copyright_quiz.html

1) Mrs. Urdvardy, a music teacher, downloads MP3 files from the Web and uses them to instruct her students in the various kinds of music. She allows students to copy the files and take them home, listen to them and complete a worksheet.

The good news is that it is permissible to download MP3 files because MP3.com pays for its archives. However, this is a violation of copyright laws because the school fails to monitor the use of the files once the students take them home. Therefore, this activity is not permissible. If this assignment could have been monitored in school, I believe that it would be okay.

2) Mr. Jamweimer, the parent of one of your most intellectual students, has paid to download a wonderful computer software program for his little Einstein. Mr. Jamweimer wants "our school" to be the best and sends a copy of the downloaded file to be used by the students on the computers at school. P.S. all of the kids use it and win Nobel prizes in science, literature, physics, chemistry, and playground.

This is a violation of the copyright laws because Mr. Jamweimer gave a copy of his downloaded file to the school. Since he only paid for one copy to be downloaded, only one copy of the program may be used at a time. The only option the school has is to destroy their copy, or they can pay for their copy. The kids now must return their Nobel prizes.