Logo
  • Popular Resources
  • Popular Guides
  • About
  • Hours
Reserve study space
NECO Library

Library Home

College Home

NECO Canvas

NECO Portal

©2026, New England College of Optometry Library

InstagramSpotify
NECO Library
/Citation & Copyright
Citation & Copyright
/Copyright FAQ
Copyright FAQ
Copyright FAQ

Copyright FAQ

NECO’s Copyright Policy is currently undergoing a review and update process. In the meantime, our current policy is available below.

NECO Copyright Policy

CopyrightPolicy2020_2.0.pdf61.0KB

Click the drop-down arrow next to each question, or the question text, for the answer.

‣

I’m an author on [article] in [journal]. Why can’t I reuse the tables in another work?

Even though you are an author of the article, the copyright is typically held by the publisher once the article is published. This means that the publisher owns the rights to the content, including tables, figures, and text. Reusing tables in another work would require permission from the publisher because they control the distribution and reproduction rights.

‣

Why can my instructor use images in their lecture, but the class notetaker can’t use the same images in their notes?

Instructors can use images under the principle of "fair use" for educational purposes, such as lectures. This principle allows for the limited use of copyrighted materials without permission for purposes like teaching and scholarship. However, when these images are included in notes taken by students and potentially shared or distributed, it extends beyond fair use. The distribution of these notes can infringe on copyright, especially if they are shared publicly or used for commercial purposes, thus requiring permission from the copyright holder.

‣

Can I share my Quizlet flashcards?

The short answer is: probably not. Sharing Quizlet flashcards is only acceptable as long as the content does not violate copyright laws. If the flashcards contain significant portions of copyrighted material, such as verbatim excerpts from textbooks or your instructor’s lecture materials, you may be infringing on the copyright. However, if the flashcards are original summaries, questions, or explanations created by you, then they can be shared freely. Always ensure that any content derived from copyrighted works is used with proper permission.

‣

Can I reuse figures from a published article in my master’s thesis?

Yes, but you need to cite them. If you are going to publish your thesis as an article, you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holder to reuse the figure(s).