Copyright Guidelines and Information
The American Pediatric Surgical Nurses Association, Inc. (APSNA) respects intellectual property and has made it a priority to ensure all members and users respect the copyrights of others. APSNA encourages the creation and publication of scholarly, technical, literary and artistic works as part of its mission and vision.
Helpful Copyright Information
Effective Date: October 2012
Approved by: APSNA Board of Directors 2022–2023
Next Revision: October 2025
Statement of Policy
The American Pediatric Surgical Nurses Association, Inc. (APSNA) respects intellectual property and requires all members and users to respect the copyrights of others. APSNA encourages the creation and publication of scholarly, technical, literary, and artistic works as part of its mission and vision.
Copyright infringement through inappropriate copying or distribution of copyrighted content is both a personal and organizational liability, and may subject the infringer to civil and criminal penalties.
Purpose
This policy provides administrative guidance on copyrightable works and ownership, and ensures compliance with U.S. copyright laws.
What Works May Be Copyrighted?
Copyright protection applies to all original works of authorship, including:
Books, articles, poems, and other written works
Music, lyrics, and sound recordings
Photographs, artwork, graphics, and cartoons
Charts, movies, and videos
Web pages and online content
Note: Material on the internet is not automatically “public property.” Unless explicitly stated, you must obtain permission before using web content in presentations, handouts, or publications.
What Is a Copyright?
Copyright refers to five exclusive rights that belong to the copyright owner:
Copy the work
Adapt or modify the work (e.g., translation or abridgment)
Distribute the work
Perform the work publicly
Display the work publicly
If There Is No Copyright Notice
Copyright applies automatically as soon as a work is created in tangible form (written, drawn, recorded, etc.). Even without a © symbol, you should assume all works are copyrighted unless clearly stated otherwise.
How to Seek Permission
Identify the copyright owner (author, illustrator, publisher, or web publisher).
Contact the owner directly for permission. Many websites have a copyright notice, legal section, or “Contact Us” link.
For APSNA-related presentations or publications, you must obtain permission (a license) sufficient to cover APSNA’s intended use.
Special note on photographs: You may need consent from the photographer, copyright holder, any identifiable models, and private individuals depicted.
Exception: Fair Use
In certain limited situations, permission may not be required under the “fair use” exception, such as for:
Criticism or commentary
News reporting
Teaching or scholarship
Research
APSNA Copyright Procedures
I. Website Content
All APSNA website content (text, images, graphics, video, audio) is the property of APSNA. Redistribution or commercial use without written permission is prohibited. Contact the APSNA Secretary for usage rights.
II. Publications
Content in the Journal of Pediatric Surgical Nursing (JPSN) is governed by its Rights & Permissions policy.
Archived Sutureline and JPSN publications are APSNA property. Redistribution without permission is prohibited.
III. Annual Conference Presentations
Always obtain permission before using materials created by others. Unauthorized copying, display, or distribution is a violation of U.S. copyright law and may result in significant damages. Questions should be directed to info@apsna.org.
IV. Patient & Family Teaching Sheets
Current APSNA teaching sheets may be shared with patients without additional permission.
Requests for reprints, revisions, or usage outside of patient education require permission from the APSNA Director of Education (info@apsna.org).
Sheets must include: “Copyright American Pediatric Surgical Nurses Association, Inc. 20XX.”
Teaching sheets created with Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC were retired in 2017 and are no longer supported.
V. Educational Web-Series
Permission must be obtained before using materials created by others.
Content is for the purchaser’s use only.
Redistribution or commercial use without APSNA’s written permission is prohibited. Questions: info@apsna.org.
VI. Position Statements
Permission must be obtained before including others’ materials.
Informational content is for APSNA member use only.
Redistribution or commercial use without APSNA’s written permission is prohibited.
Questions: APSNA Director of Practice and Quality (info@apsna.org).
Additional Resources
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[Date]
[Name of Copyright Holder]
[Address]
[Salutation:]
I am writing to request permission to use [describe copyrighted material and the source from which you obtained the materials] (the “Third-Party Materials”) in connection with a presentation and related material I am preparing. The topic of my presentation is _________________. I plan to deliver my presentation at a meeting for APSNA. My presentation may be recorded in one or more media and my material will be distributed at the meeting. APSNA intends to make the recordings, if any, and material available to its membership and others, using a variety of formats, media, and technologies. APSNA will provide me with copies of any recordings for my own professional use and to use in promoting my professional services.
It is my understanding, that you own copyrights in the Third Party Material. Accordingly, I ask that you grant me the right to copy, publish, display, perform, distribute, prepare derivative works of and otherwise adapt and use the Third Party Material, in whole or in part, in connection with the preparation and delivery of my presentation and related material and for other educational purposes and, to the extent the Third-Party Materials are embedded in the recordings or related material, to use them to promote my professional services.
I also ask that you grant APSNA, its successors, and assigns, the right to copy, publish, perform, distribute, prepare derivative works of, and otherwise adapt and use the Third Party Material, in whole or in part, worldwide, and to incorporate them into other works, in any form, media, or technology (whether now known or later developed), but only in connection with APSNA’s ongoing promotion and use of my presentation, related material, and derivative works and recordings thereof.
Please indicate your consent by signing and returning the enclosed copy of this letter in the self-addressed, stamped envelope provided.
Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
[your name]
I have the right to grant the above-described rights and hereby consent to the use of the Third Party Material by [your name] and APSNA as set forth above.
[name] [Date]
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I, ………………………………………………….……………… (name of person giving consent & parent/guardian if under 18 years of age), consent to the use of my image or likeness in photographs or videos on the American Pediatric Surgical Nurses Association, Inc. (“APSNA”) website, social media pages, newsletters, publications and other materials, and hereby grant APSNA a perpetual license to any and all uses and displays, without notice, review or approval and without compensation, of my name, voice, likeness, image, appearance, attributes of personality and biographical information. I agree that my name and identity (or that of my child, dependent or ward, as applicable) may be revealed in descriptive text or commentary in connection with licensed uses set forth above. All negatives, prints, digital reproductions and similar materials shall be the property of APSNA.
I understand that the licensed uses set forth above may include my/my child’s/dependent’s/ward’s face, image, likeness, voice, name, age, any and all information regarding such person’s medical condition(s), treatment, status, prognosis, and other protected health information as defined and permitted by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) as amended, and other federal or state privacy laws.
In giving my permission I am aware that any information published on the Internet is accessible to millions of users from all over the world, that it will be indexed by search engines and that it may be copied and used by any web user. This means that upon publication on the Internet, APSNA will have no control over such information’s or material’s subsequent use and disclosure.
I also acknowledge that I am not entitled to any remuneration, royalties or any other compensation from APSNA in respect of its use of my name, voice, likeness, image, appearance, attributes, medical conditions, treatments, status, prognosis, etc. as authorized pursuant to this authorization and release.
I hereby agree to hold APSNA free and harmless from any and all liability arising out of the use and/or release of content. I further understand that this consent may be withdrawn by me at any time upon written notice, provided that APSNA will not be liable in any way for licensed uses prior to my withdrawal of consent, if any. I give this consent voluntarily.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this authorization and release in favor of the American Pediatric Surgical Nurses Association, Inc.
Signature: ___________________________
Printed Name: ________________________
Date: _______________________________
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I hereby grant and give in perpetuity to the American Pediatric Surgical Nurses Association, Inc. (“APSNA”), its successors and assigns, and any person or entity acting with its authority or on its behalf (“Licensees”), the irrevocable right, permission and license to publish, reproduce, distribute and otherwise use (i) my name and likeness, and (ii) any still or video image, likeness or sound recording of me provided by me in connection with my participation in APSNA educational and/or promotional purposes.
I represent and warrant that I am either the sole owner of all photographs and video images provided by me or I have permission from the copyright owner to provide the photographs and video images for use by APSNA. I understand I will not have final approval rights for APSNA’s use of any photographs and videos I provide. I hereby release, discharge and agree to hold harmless APSNA and all Licensees from and against any and all liability to me or any third parties resulting from the use of my name, likeness, and the photographs and videos provided hereunder.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereby execute this Authorization and Release as of the date and year below.
Signature: ______________________________________________
Printed Name: ______________________________________________
Date: ______________________________________________
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Understanding Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the uncredited use of another person’s words, ideas, or creative work. This can be intentional or unintentional — and it extends across all formats, including text, images, music, lecture slides, and digital media.
Examples of plagiarism include:
Copying material without quotes or citations
Paraphrasing without credit
Submitting someone else’s work as your own
Reusing your own past work (self-plagiarism)
Purchasing or borrowing content to meet academic or professional requirements
Why cite your sources?
To acknowledge the work of others that influenced your own
To provide readers with resources to find more information
To avoid legal, academic, and professional consequences
Tip: When in doubt, cite it. It’s better to over-cite than under-cite.
Best Practices to Avoid Plagiarism
Never copy text into a draft with the intent to “fix it later”
Quote directly when using exact words
Always cite the original source — avoid relying on secondary summaries
Use plagiarism checkers (such as Turnitin or iThenticate)
Request permission for images, charts, or models before reuse
Tips for Effective Paraphrasing
Read and understand the text fully
Restate the meaning in your own words and sentence structure
Compare your version with the original to ensure accuracy
Cite the original source
Practice paraphrasing aloud to confirm understanding
A simple rule of thumb: Read. Think. Restate. Cite.
Copyright Basics
Under U.S. law, copyright protects works of authorship, including:
Literary and musical works
Dramatic and choreographic works
Pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works
Motion pictures and audiovisuals
Sound recordings
Architectural designs
What copyright means:
The copyright holder controls how the work is used. Always check for:
“All Rights Reserved” (full copyright protection)
Creative Commons licenses (reuse allowed with credit)
Public Domain (free to use, but credit is still best practice)
Do You Need Permission?
You do need permission if:
Using an academic or commercial stock image (unless licensed)
Reproducing copyrighted material without clear usage rights
You don’t need permission if:
The work is under a Creative Commons license
The work is in the Public Domain (e.g., U.S. government publications)
Fair Use
In some cases, copyrighted material can be used without permission — for teaching, research, commentary, or criticism. However, “fair use” is a legal gray area. When unsure, seek permission.
Getting Permission
Contact the publisher or rights holder directly
Explain how and where you will use the work (print, online, presentation)
Allow several weeks for approval
If permission is denied, do not use the work
Consequences of Misuse
Violating copyright or committing plagiarism can result in:
Academic or professional blacklisting
Legal fines
Loss of research or publishing opportunities
Damage to professional reputation