In Maryland, a proposal has gone underway which would copyright the work of a teacher, student, or employee while before, after, and during school hours. Documents like lesson plans and even the homework of each student would be part of the proposal, and subject to copyright laws.
Opponents of this proposal, such as teachers and activists, worry that these measures might cause teachers to be less innovative in the classroom. According to the school district, though, the reason for this policy was to deter teachers from obtaining or trading their lesson plans online. Another speculation is the creation of educational apps, which teachers have created in the Prince George’s County Public School district which has garnered attention for being potentially profitable.
The proposal is under further legal review, as there is still debate on the rightful ownership of a student’s work. After an article was written in the Washington Post regarding the rights to a student’s artwork or essay, the PGC District said they were still revising the details. It is not uncommon for university professors and lecturers to copyright their materials and presentations, but the law for those under 18 is a bit more tedious.
1790: The first federal copyright act is signed into law
Some of the legal grey area of this proposal involves the scope of employment, and the hours of which a piece of work can be considered district property. Temporary employees, like substitute teachers would not be exempt, and everything they created would still be subjected to copyright policies. If you are seeking legal help regarding copyrights, contact an experienced attorney with the knowledge and expertise to help fight for you.