*Please visit the new NFHS Copyright Website here.*
Copyright law and compliance are complex and there will always questions about being compliant. Copyrighted materials are used in many high school activities from music, speech, theatre, cheer, and dance as well as most school based athletic events. The resources found on this page can act as a guide to understanding the complexities of the U.S. Copyright Law. Completing the Understanding Copyright and Compliance course, free on NFHSLearn.com is a first step in gaining more knowledge about Copyright. This course will supply the basics of U.S. Copyright Law and answer most questions. The NFHS will continue to create and update resources as they become available.
The resources below are designed to be educational in nature and are not to be used as legal advice. It is important to consult your own legal counsel prior to taking copyright action.
We Believe
- - Education on copyright should be free and readily available.
- - Schools across the country should follow copyright law.
- - Schools should have easy and affordable access to copyrighted materials.
- - Creators should be fairly compensated for their creative works.
- - Students should learn about intellectual property and know how it affects them.
- - Students should learn how to protect their own intellectual property as they become creators.
Copyright Resources
National
Education
- Copyright Performance Permissions
- Copyright Permissions for Performance (Poster)
- TEACH Act Explained - Copyright Guidance for Distance Learning (NFHS & NAfME Collaboration)
- "The Stage" Podcast: Episode #3 - Alan Greiner (Iowa High School Music Association/Copyright)
- "The Stage" Podcast: Episode #10 - Dr. James Weaver (NFHS) and Alan Greiner (Iowa High School Music Association)
NFHS Learn
Understanding Copyright and Compliance
This helpful course explains what copyright means and when there may be exceptions. It discusses Fair Use, when a piece of music might be in the Public Domain, copyright infringement penalties and much more. And this unique course has been designed for your specific needs whether you are a Music Teacher, Spirit Coach, School Administrator, Theatre Director or Speech and Debate Coach.
NFHS Learn
Music Adjudication
Music adjudication provides an opportunity for performing arts students to develop by further improving their skills through constructive feedback. To help you, as an adjudicator, support the development of these skills, the NFHS has created the course Music Adjudication. This course has been designed to provide adjudicating basics and guidelines, teach you how to properly comment on and give constructive feedback on a performance, as well as further explaining the different roles in which you may serve as an adjudicator.
Example student performances are included to give you an opportunity to practice adjudicating real performances, while also providing guidance on what to note during a particular performance. To learn and improve upon your adjudicating skills, take the course Music Adjudication, available for free at the NFHS Learning Center.