LAU abides the Lebanese Copyright law and by the “Fair Use” provisions of the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17). Therefore it is illegal to publish or photocopy books/periodicals from cover to cover. Only one third of a book/periodical (i.e., up to 3 chapters from a book) can be either published online or photocopied.

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted materials. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research. If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of fair use that user may be liable for copyright infringement.

The Lebanese Copyright law makes it illegal to import, make, distribute, sell, or rent copies of copyrighted materials without authorization from the owner. No copies except one backup copy are allowed without the specific authorization of the copyright owner.