Copyright law

Copyright law (UrhG) protects works of literature, science and art, as well as a limited range of other intellectual achievements. It promises the copyright holder the right of recognition of such copyright by crediting, as well as various rights of exploitation. The UrhG protects works of literature, science and art, as well as a limited range of other intellectual achievements. This protection however as a rule only covers the representation and not the content.

Copyright law is restricted by various regulations and so permits use of protected works in specific contexts. However there is a strict set of rules that must be complied with.

There are three possibilities for the use of copyright-protected content in teaching practice:

• The copyright holder’s permission to use the materials has been obtained. Important: this permission must fully cover the nature and scope of the use.
• Exemptions for use in teaching practice under Section 52 a UrhG
• Right of quotation under Section 51 UrhG

Important

If the none of the aforementioned exemptions from protection under copyright law – i.e. sharing only with a specific definable group of people as defined by Section 52a (1) (1) UrhG, the permission of the copyright holder or being covered by the right of quotation (Section 51 UrhG) – apply, then publication of film recordings that show and contain copyright-protected materials is prohibited in a legal sense.

The consequence of this is that should the creator of the work learns of this, s/he may demand that such use cease and desist, or else its compensation. Therefore, for legal reasons, such publication is inadvisable.