The libraries have been packed with students studying hard for finals over the past week, and we can relate. Your campus copyright librarians went back to school this spring to take part in CopyrightX: a massive open online course covering copyright law and reform produced by Harvard Law School the HarvardX distance-learning initiative, and the Berkman Center for Internet and Society.

cartoon of copyright resources center staff studying

CopyrightX offers an excellent resource for anyone seeking a comprehensive overview of copyright law and theory. Approximately 18 hours of lectures do not prove insurmountable, though another review accurately describes the course as “a fire-hose of concentrated information.” Lectures are carved up into smaller topical episodes which address specific areas of interest, such as the copyright of fictional characters or joint authorship.

Although the current semester is winding down, anyone may access the course content online and progress through the materials at his or her own pace. The syllabus on the CopyrightX website includes links to all course readings and lectures.

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By Jessica Meindertsma, Rights Management Specialist at the Copyright Resources Center, The Ohio State University Libraries