The TEACH Act: New Roles, Rules and Responsibilitiesfor Academic

Signed by President Bush on November 2, 2002, the Technology, Education, and CopyrightHarmonization (TEACH) Act is the product of discussion and negotiation among academic institutions,publishers, library organizations and Congress. It offers many improvements over previous regulations,specifically sections 110(2) and 112(f ) of the U.S. Copyright Act. Ultimately, it is up to each academic institution to decide whether to take advantage of the new copyrightexemptions under the TEACH Act. This decision should consider both the extent of the institution’s distanceeducation programs and its ability to meet the education, compliance and technological requirements of theTEACH Act.

When I saw this becoming the Act, I thought that the TEACH Act was not neccessary at that time. However I feel that this act became one of the most important Acts now in the United States. The TEACH Act many requirements provides some much needed clarification and expansion of privileges for distance learning. Although the Act must be met when coupled with application of fair use, makes life a lot easier for distance learning providers, faculty, and students.