​Archdiocese of Los Angeles Copyright and Video Screening Policy​​

​​The Copyright Law of the United States protects all original created works "fixed in any tangible medium of expression," including the airwaves or the Internet (17 U.S.C. § 101–122). These works include: 

• Literary works

• Musical works, including any accompanying words 

• Dramatic works, including any accompanying music 

• Pantomimes and choreographic works 

• Pictorial, graphic, and sculptural work 

• Motion pictures and other audiovisual works 

• Sound recordings 

• Architectural works

• Computer software 

All these works may be reproduced only with their creator's permission. Popular belief that materials found on the Internet are not copyright protected and may be used at will is incorrect. All materials posted on the World Wide Web enjoy copyright protection, whether or not a copyright, trademark, or other symbol is apparent, and whether or not the creator is identified. Certain materials state that they may be used under a Creative Commons license, without a payment of a royalty. Even these free materials may be used only in ways that are stated on the site.

A limited fair use exception exists for general users and a more generous exception applies to teachers and classroom use​.

See Music Copyright and Guides to Licensing​.
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Reviewed 3-2-2018