Sonoma State University Library contracts with a variety of vendors and publishers to provide users with thousands of electronic resources (databases, abstracts, e-journals, full text, etc.).
In addition to paying for these resources, the Library typically negotiates license agreements that stipulate how and by whom they may be used. If license terms are violated by anyone, licensors usually have the right to temporarily suspend access FOR THE ENTIRE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY! In some cases, licenses can be permanently revoked.
You can help prevent problems with our electronic resource providers by adhering to "good practice" and avoiding improper use. Here are some good rules of thumb:
| USUALLY OK | USUALLY NOT OK |
|---|---|
| making limited print or electronic copies (such as single articles) | systematic or substantial printing, copying or downloading (such as entire journal issues or books) |
| using for personal, instructional or research needs | selling or re-distributing or republishing content, or providing it to an employer |
| sharing with SSU faculty, staff and students | sharing with people other than SSU faculty, staff and students |
| posting links to specific content | posting actual content or articles to web sites, listservs, or Moodle pages |
| modifying, altering, or creating derivative works |
Always acknowledge your source on any published or unpublished digital document or for any data found within digital resources.
COPYRIGHT POLICY: Copyright law protects all electronic materials unless there is a specific statement attached to the material stating that they are in the public domain or are covered by a Creative Commons or other open license. If you have any questions about copyright or fair use, please send an email to premo@sonoma.edu
GREY AREAS: Some resources allow inclusion for electronic reserves, course packs, and multiple copies for classroom use and interlibrary lending. Others explicitly forbid one or more of these activities.If you have questions about a particular resource, please send an e-mail to krierl@sonoma.edu.