QUOTE (calstaples @ May 30 2007, 01:19 PM)

Is anyone concerned about the copyright issues? I suppose there is always the danger that someone could make a case about the images, or the use of the commercial music tracks. That is why I clipped off the school name from the end of movies I recently uploaded, as I wouldn’t want to be the cause of a dragging a school into a legal case! The videos on the US teachertube site soon build up to hundreds of viewings, so presumably the risk is there.
The answer is yes, and we have debated this issue on the HTDF a number of times.
I think the general final feeling is that non-profit-making items for educational purposes can be assumed to fall within the 'fair use' policy.
Certainly on the occasions that I have trespassed on copyright to the extent that I have felt obliged to write and ask, I have found that the copyright holders have either agreed, or have just ignored my letter.
When I do ask for copyright permission, I always post the item first, then write to the copyright-holder asking permission, referring them to the item I have posted but offering to take it down if they object - that way, you give them a contract-out option (rather than a contract-in option, which would leave you in a pickle if they just didn't reply).
Where I have gleaned materials/images from the internet (where one can assume that the item is in the public domain), I generally don't bother to ask.
Even so, I generally put somewhere in small print a statement seeking 'further information' about copyright-holders, and stating that if anyone has any issues relating to copyright they should contact me immediately.
The one on my website reads:
QUOTE
Policy and Copyright statement, 5/4/2002
All original texts and paraphrases on this site are © John D Clare. John D Clare asserts his moral right to be identified as the author of all work that is © John D Clare.
Teachers and pupils/students are welcome to download, copy and use these pages for non-commercial educational and research purposes. Webmasters are welcome to post links to pages on the www.johndclare.net site. However, any use you make of this site or information derived from the content or appearance of this site is your responsibility. John D Clare will not be held liable in any respect for any use or abuse of this site by other persons.
Users are entirely responsible for all intellectual property that is not © John D Clare, and should check to ensure they are allowed to use any material not © John D Clare. John D Clare is not responsible for anything other than text © John D Clare.
Links to a site do not mean that John D Clare agrees with the content or philosophy of the site or its authors.
Every effort has been made to trace and acknowledge ownership of copyright. John D Clare will be glad to make suitable arrangements with any copyright holder whom it has not been possible to contact - please email MrJohnDClare@aol.com.
So if a picture-owner etc. should get in touch, you would just take down the relevant item and repot it minus the offending image wth a fair degree of grovelling.
Of course this doesn't totally protect you against prosecution, bankruptcy, dismissal, loss of pension and jail, but I think you should be safe unless you have been doing something silly like posting images you have stolen from professional picture-suppliers, or unless you fall foul of a particularly vicious copyright-owner who is wanting to make an example of someone.
If the worst came to the worst, you could always offer to pay. I can't see it ever coming to court if
in extremis you were to offer that. I can't see any court in the land convicting in a situation where you'd openly sought further information about copyright holders on your site, had taken the item down immediately you were contacted, and had then offered to pay any outstanding fees.
Normal fees are about £300 per image per year, so it could get steep if you were getting clobbered for a few images - but it's better than jail!