Copyright laws

Copyright protects an original work of something heard or seen. When it comes down to it, it is really all about the money.
You can't copyright an idea or thought, but you can copyright the form of which that idea can occur.
However, copyright laws last only 14 years. Then the work can go into the public domain. This is essential because our culture built on other ideas based on already existing ideas. However, copyright laws are extending. For businesses, copyright can last for anywhere from a lifetime, to 70 years, to anything. It changes all the time.
There are however limitations on copyright laws. You can borrow a small amount of a copyrighted work. The first is the nature in which it is used. The second is the amount used. The third is that it does not decrease the commercial value.
Copyright laws developed in England, when plays were being performed regularly. People like Shakespeare were getting ripped off because they only had one copy, and others could perform their plays as much as they chose. They needed money for their work.
Because the media changes over time, you get things like film, radio, and records, and the laws change to incorporate longer periods of time so the author is able to receive money for the work that they did.
The fair use law allows you to use other peoples work. Teaching is a fair use, news broadcasts, parody and satire.
You can use a small amount of a copyright law. How much and how long? For education, they are fairly lenient. The only way you can get in trouble in education is if you profit from what you use.
Usually, if something important in the newspaper comes up, you can bring the whole paper into class and share it. However, the main reason for a newspaper is to generate money.
Things have drastically changed from the internet. Because of that , they have come up with the TEACH ACT. This act clarifies what uses are permissible with regards to distance education that does not contain a face-to-face classroom setting. This allows teachers and students of accredited universities as part of a course if certain qualifications are met.

The link below provides an introduction and checklist, to make sure I am in compliance with copyright laws.
http://www.utsystem.edu/ogc/intellectualproperty/teachact.htm