Importance of Copyright
Intellectual Property Information Center at Kansas State University Online Tutorial on Copyright Basics
Although copying a work without obtaining permission may appear to be an easy and convenient solution to an immediate problem, such unauthorized copying can frequently violate the rights of the author or publisher of the copyrighted work, and may be contrary to the academic mission to teach respect for ideas and for the intellectual property of those that express these ideas.
As stated in the U.S. Constitution, the concept of copyright protection is important in order to “promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts.” Without understanding copyright law (including elements such as the doctrine of "fair use" and its application and limitations in the educational setting) faculty members, copy centers, college stores, universities are at risk for engaging in illegal copying.