On October 19, 1976, President Ford signed the nation's first comprehensive revision of our copyright law since 1909. It became fully effective on January 1, 1978 and it is a law that will need to be understood by music educators both to improve their teaching and to protect themselves and their schools from incurring liability or being sued. This…

Discusses a recent lawsuit involving the violation of copyright laws by a music teacher who illegally reproduced sheet music. The purpose, scope, and limitations of copyright laws are explained in terms of teacher use of published materials. The penalties for copyright infringement are also described. (AM)