Conditions of free use of works for the purpose of creating educational materials and the distance learning

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of the norms of the Law of Ukraine «On Copyright and Related Rights», which came into force on January 1, 2023 (hereinafter — the Law).It is noted that any learning requires the creation and use of educational material. The works by other authors are often used to create such material. In practice, questions arise as to how to use it without infringing copyright?There are exceptions and limitations to copyright, when it is allowed to freely use works, but subject to the conditions, provided for in the Law.In the article the author analyzes in detail the conditions of free use of works for education. It is established, that it is allowed to:1) reproduction and the making available to the public of works as illustrations in publications, broadcasting programs, sound recordings or video recordings;2) reproduction and the making available to the public of works for distance learning.The article discusses general and special (or additional) conditions. The general conditions of free use of works are investigated, namely:1) indication of the name of the author and the source from which the work was borrowed;2) reproduction of a work if it was lawfully published.Other special (or additional) conditions are also considered.In particular, the scope of use of the work. The problematic issues of using a fragment of a photographic work, a work of fine art as an illustration in an educational publication, given the specifics of such works, are pointed out.The article defines the features of the free use of works as illustrations in publishing by subjects of educational activity from the standpoint of their commercial benefit.It was found that the norms of the Law on the free use for the creation of the educational materials and for distance learning have inconsistencies. It is proved that the relevant conditions provided for by the Law should relate to the free use of works for distance learning, and not to the creation of educational materials. Cases of free use of works for the education are considered in detail, provided that the activity has no independent economic significance or commercial purpose. It is justified that the condition of free use of works, if the actions of a person do not have a commercial purpose, should apply to all cases of free use of works for education. Сonclusions and suggestions are made.