Copyright Law and Content Protection Mechanisms: Digital Rights Management for Teacher Educators

Abstract

The integration of new technologies using digital media materials in preservice and inservice programs to prepare educational personnel presents both opportunities and challenges for teacher educators in special education. The Technology, Education, and Copyright Harmonization (TEACH) Act of 2002 provided some guidelines for appropriate use of copyrighted materials in face-to-face, televised, and online instruction and focused educator's attention on the need for policies and practices related to digital rights management. This article outlines the major provisions of the TEACH Act as they relate to converting, creating and implementing digital media. Then it presents currently available content protection mechanisms for controlling access to and preventing copying of various file formats to comply with the Act's provisions and protect one's own and others' intellectual property. This information will be useful for educators who use commercial materials or develop their own media for use in personnel preparation programs or staff development activities.