The Technology, Education, and Copyright Harmonization Act (TEACH Act) updates copyright laws pertaining to transmissions of performances and displays of copyrighted materials. Such transmissions are integral to distance education efforts, including online courses.

The TEACH Act says it is not copyright infringement for teachers and students at an accredited, nonprofit educational institution to transmit performances and display of certain copyrighted works as part of an online course if certain conditions are met. If these conditions are not or cannot be met, use of the material will have to qualify as a fair use or permission from the copyright holder(s) must be obtained in order for the material to be used.

The Copyright Management Center of Indiana University/Purdue University of Indianapolis provides a TEACH Act Checklist that can assist professors in their documenting how their use of copyrighted work can be used in compliance with the TEACH Act.