How it works
Digital media, code, data, and designs may be protected by copyright, licenses, terms of use, or school policies.
Use attribution, permission, license review, and original student work habits.
Common error
Free to access does not always mean free to copy, remix, submit, or sell.
Worked example
A student finds a public image without a visible reuse license. Decide what public access establishes.
Data / pseudocode
Image: viewable online
Reuse permission: unknown
Proposed use: redistribute inside an appPublic visibility alone does not establish permission to copy or redistribute. Check the license or obtain permission, choose material with suitable terms, and give required attribution. Original work is another option. Follow applicable project instructions for acknowledging outside contributions.
Exercises
5.4.1
Why is attribution alone not enough to authorize every reuse of a copyrighted image?
Show solution
Credit identifies the source but does not replace required permission or override license restrictions. The permitted use depends on the applicable rights and terms.
5.4.2
Contrast public-domain material with open-source code under a license.
Show solution
Public-domain material generally lacks the relevant copyright restriction. Open-source code is licensed under terms that can require notices, attribution, or other conditions; inspect the specific license.