Music Educators’ Understanding and Opinions of U.S. Copyright Law

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine music educators’ understanding and opinions of U.S. copyright law. In-service music educators ( N = 50) completed a web-based questionnaire designed to assess their attitudes toward, knowledge of, and preparation/training for understanding copyright law. Respondents reported generally favorable attitudes toward copyright law. Results also indicated that respondents had a limited understanding of certain aspects of copyright law. These in-service music teachers reported that their undergraduate preparation did not prepare them well to understand copyright law, and the majority (64%) indicated completing zero undergraduate courses that included copyright law as a content area and few professional development sessions focused on understanding copyright law. Analysis of respondents’ answers to a free-response question indicated the following themes: (a) rationalizing unethical/illegal behaviors, (b) criticizing the status quo, and (c) expressing a desire for more information about copyright.