§ 110(2) of U.S. copyright law, the Technology, Education And Copyright Harmonization (TEACH) Act, remedies many of the inconsistencies in the 1978 Copyright Law in regards to the distance education classroom. There are differences in what an instructor can do in the face-to-face classroom and what an instructor can do in a transmitted distance education course.

§ 110(2) of U.S. copyright law (the TEACH Act) allows nonprofit educational institutions and government bodies to transmit via digital networks:

• performances of nondramatic literary or musical works;
• performances of "reasonable and limited portions" of any other works;
• displays of works "in an amount comparable to that which is typically displayed in the course of a live classroom session.

Excepted are works "produced or marketed" primarily for such use and performances or displays given by means of copies the transmitting body has reason to believe were not lawfully made or acquired.

• TEACH Act Checklist (UNC Charlotte)
• TEACH Act FAQs (UNC Charlotte)

This guide does not constitute legal advice. If you have legal questions, please contact a lawyer.