Students are required by University policy and by ProQuest/UMI policy to ascertain that use of all copyright-protected materials either falls within the "fair use" guidelines of U.S. copyright law or that they are reproduced with the permission of the owner.
Copyright registration is optional for thesis and dissertation students. However, the University encourages all thesis and dissertation students to register copyright, either through UMI or directly with the U.S. Copyright Office. Under current U.S. copyright law, copyright protection is automatic and does not require registration or the use of the copyright (©). However, the copyright symbol informs readers that you know your rights, while formal copyright registration establishes a public record of your dissertation and your name and address. For American publications, registration is required before you can file an infringement lawsuit.
Copyright is a vital aspect of scholarly and professional life. Authors are encouraged to preserve and protect their rights within the norms of scholarly exchange, and to respect the rights of other authors and creators.
Questions about copyright should be directed to:
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