Copyright issues on pdfs posted to Weebly

[KidCharlemagne]

Hello, I found a pdf on weebly doing an internet search. Are there copyright issues if I want to share it with my class? Here is the file: https://foundations2015.weebly.com/uploads/5[Redacted]3/platos_allegory_of_the_cave_.pdf

[Donnie-M]

@KidCharlemagne I am going to do sort of what you are doing by quoting some information from the department of education website on "Fair Use".  Basically, if you are using this to teach and discuss the merits of the work and aren't presenting it as your own, you should be ok, but that is up to the author/court if a claim was made.  

1. The purpose and characteristics of the use: Benefiting from a work in educational and instructional processes or
academic studies; usage of the work by non-profit educational institutions; encouragement of free discussions on
the quality of the work (ex. News, criticism, commentary) and usage in order for developing general public
comprehension on literary or art works (ex. Satire, parody) are considered as appropriate and permissible for fair
use. However, the use of a work for commercial and entertainment purposes, profit oriented usage and usage
with intention of deception are not considered as appropriate to fair use.
2. The nature of the copyrighted work: Benefiting from the works that are produced by spending less intellectual
labor/ exertion are more suitable for fair use compared to benefiting from the works that are produced by
spending more intellectual labor/exertion. For example; a professional video produced by a studio requires more
intellectual labor/exertion in comparison with a video that is produced at home, individually.
3. The amount and substantiality of the portion taken: Taking less from a study is considered as appropriate for fair
use. However, less does not always mean that it is appropriate for fair use. Another point which should be
considered under this criterion is that the quoted part should not constitute the part which is called as “the heart”
of the study. For example, sharing of the end part of the scene, “The Sixth Sense”, where it is revealed that
Bruce Willis turns to be dead, will lessen the commercial value of the movie.
4. The effect of the use upon the potential market: Under this factor, the potential market or value of the work is
considered. For example, a teacher cannot copy a whole book for his students so that his students will not have
to pay for it.

Hope this helps.