Are we responsible users of technology?

Are we responsible users of technology? How well do we model fair use and copyright guidelines when technology makes it so easy for us to use other people's material?

Could teachers as a group be more guilty of copyright violation? I don't think so. I've seen teachers at school show movies in class, download music (legally and illegally) and play in class, show TV shows, copy extensive passages from books, use lyrics from songs and copy supplemental workbooks that were given as materials to look over. Teachers will often cite the Latin expression "Ignorantia juris non excusat or Ignorantia legis neminem excusat" which, of course, translates to "Ignorance of the law is no excuse." But are the "crimes" greater than the benefit derived by the students? I feel that most of the time they are. CBS produces lesson plans for their hit show "NUMB3RS" and gives specific information on how the show may be used http://www.weallusematheveryday.com/tools/files/waumed_taping_terms.pdf. Teachers are allowed to show the math scenes of the show, but the rest of the episode is considered off limits. Isn't CBS' goal to have as many people watch the show as possible? I will admit, I will show the math scene in the show, then do the project or projects associated with it. The next day I will reward the class with the rest of the show, so that they can see what happens. Violation of copyright? I guess so, but everybody wins. I get an engaging lesson, CBS's sponsors get people to see their commercials and my students get to do something is math class that gets them excited about math.