Can I copy chapters of my textbook to give out to students or scan pages into WebCT because the student is unable or refuses to purchase the book, the bookstore received the wrong edition, or the student cannot afford the textbook?
Answer
Neither a student's financial ability or willingness to pay for a textbook is criteria for the reproduction of copyrighted materials under fair use or the copyright law. The inability of a student to secure the correct edition of the textbook is not specifically addressed in the copyright law nor in the Guidelines for Classroom Copying in Nonprofit Educational Institutions. Copying chapters from the textbook in this scenario may be a best addressed by the four criteria of fair use.