When using materials created by others, web developers may face copyright compliance issues. In keeping with the WAG philosophy of local autonomy, it is the responsibility of each web developer to respect the intellectual property rights of others.

The Copyright Law (contained in Title 17 of the U.S. Code) provides for limited use in educational and library settings, as well as defining when items are released from copyright protection. Section 107 reads, in part:

"Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified in that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright."

Web developers should keep in mind that rich and numerous resources are available in the Yale University Library collections without copyright restriction and use of these materials will further promote the Library.