Legal Limitations of Color Copier Usage

Certain copyright law restrictions apply specifically to color copiers

Color copiers are subject to certain provisions of copyright law. Users are not legally allowed to copy money or to photocopy any copyrighted material for non-personal or non-educational use.

Money

Federal law forbids the color copying of United States currency. Currency may be photocopied in black and white at a size that is either visibly smaller or larger than actual currency. According to the United States Secret Service, individuals who make printed reproductions of currency in violation of these restrictions may face fines or jail time.

Copyrighted Works

Photocopying of copyrighted books and magazines is only allowed for "fair use" - mainly for educational or non-profit purposes. These restrictions apply to both black-and-white and color copiers. Photocopies of copyrighted material for non-fair use purposes may result in jail time or fines.

Photographs and Identification Documents

Only non-copyrighted or personal pictures may legally be photocopied on a color copier. Copyrighted photos -- such as those in newspapers and magazines -- are expressly forbidden from being photocopied for non-fair use purposes. Government law also prohibits full-size color photocopies of federal identity documents including passports or military ID cards; many states also prohibit the full-size color photographing of driver's license or other identification cards.

References

• University of California: Copyright Policies and Resources
• George Mason University School of Law: Copy Policies
• United States Secret Service: Know Your Money
• United States Army: Photocopying Military, CAC IDs is a Violation of Federal Law
• North Carolina State University: Alcohol Information and Laws Affecting Students