In the digital age, everyone is a publisher or a maker or creator. Whether you work in a studio, a classroom or in social media, understanding copyright is a foundational skill.

VCU Libraries’ Scholarly Communications office, in concert with the VCU School of the Arts and arts librarians, introduces a new series for 2015-16 on the nuances of copyright for artists, designers and art scholars.

Presenter VCU University Counsel Madelyn Wessel is an authoritative voice on the complex intersection of creators’ and copyright-holders’ rights with creative and scholarly expression. She has presented to many university audiences as well as to groups including The Visual Resources Association and the Art Libraries Society of North America. Wessel is also a senior assistant attorney general for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Previously, as associate general counsel at the University of Virginia, her practice included intellectual property law, FOIA, technology and libraries. She received her J.D. from Boston University. Wessel is up-to-date on how copyright touches creation, innovation, invention and scholarship and how scholarly and creative work products should be protected.  

The first event in this series, Copyright 1.0 - Overview of Copyright, will cover topics including: 

·       CopyRIGHTS of authors/creators

·       Copyright exceptions including educational rights and fair use

·       Registering and protecting your work

·       Creative Commons and other tools for sharing

·       Copyright infringement actions and liabilities