Can I copy portions of published works to use as class handouts?
YES: a single copy of a short excerpt from a copyright-protected work may be provided or communicated to each student enrolled in a a class or course at KPU as a class handout. To see the definition of a 'short except' click on the 'Fair Dealing' tab
If the source is:
A print item or e-book: copying is permitted without the permission of the copyright holder provided that the amount copied falls within the parameters of fair dealing. You are permitted to copy or adapt all or part of a work that has expired into the public domain. If the item has a Creative Commons license then you can do with it what the license allows.
The Internet: copying is permitted unless the site is protected by a digital lock (i.e. a password) or there is a clearly visible notice denying reproduction for educational purposes. The source must be cited. Do not copy works that you suspect have been posted online without the consent of the copyright holder.
A Library database: use of licensed materials is governed by contractual agreement. Check the library site for terms of use before copying.
Class handouts can also be emailed to students.
Under Fair Dealing, a single copy of a short excerpt from a copyright-protected work may be provided or communicated to each student enrolled in a class or course at KPU as a posting to a learning or course management system that is password protected or otherwise restricted to, and accessible only by, students in the specific course, unit or program, such as your Moodle site.
To see the definition of a 'short except' click here.
Can I scan a print article or chapter from a book to a PDF and post to my course website?
As long as you adhere to the amounts that may be copied under Fair Dealing you may scan and post it on your course website.
It is important to note that Fair Dealing does not allow you to scan material and add it to a website unless that website is password protected and restricted to students enrolled in your course. If you want to scan a copyright protected work for inclusion on an open website, you will need to obtain permission from the copyright owner or use materials with an Open licence.
If you do post copyrighted material, copied under fair dealing limits, it is good practice to include a clearly visible notice on all materials you post that states:
This item has been copied under the Fair Dealing provisions of the Copyright Act
What About Library Licensed Databases?
Use of licensed materials is governed by contractual agreement. Check the Library site for terms of use before copying.
Best Practice:
What About Images?
Permitted uses of images include:
Non Permitted Uses:
Click on the 'Images' tab for more information.
What About YouTube or Streamed Video?
Instructions for linking to subscription streamed videos, such as from "Films on Demand" or "National Film Board" can be found on the Library Resources for Remote Delivery subject guide from the Library website.
Free online video sites (including YouTube) can be embedded in your course website. The videos must have been legitimately posted; the site must not contain an explicitly worded prohibition against copying and there must be no digital lock on the work.
For more information click on the 'Audiovisual Resources' tab.
What About Material From the Internet?
Reposting a work from the Internet to a password protected course website is permissible, as long as you follow the following rules (which are derived from section 30.04 of the Copyright Act):
What is a digital lock?
A digital lock means any effective technology, device or component that, in the ordinary course of its operation, controls access to a work, a performer's performance fixed in a sound recording or a sound recording, and whose use is authorized by the copyright owner.
Can I link to a freely available internet resources on my course website?
Generally Yes. Making a link does not constitute making or distributing a copy and is permissible unless a site expressly prohibits such linking. You should not link to a resource that you know, or suspect, is not legally posted.
Best Practices
Course Manuals are custom packages of materials collected for a course. They can be used to supplement or replace a textbook. All assembling and printing of course manuals is handled through the Bookstore. For more information on course packs contact the text office of the Bookstore at textoffice@kpu.ca or call 604 599-2492.
It is the responsibility of the faculty member who submits material for inclusion in a course pack to ensure that they are copyright compliant. The following information provides some guidelines. If unsure please do not hesitate to contact the Library Copyright Librarian at copyright@kpu.ca for assistance.
Including Copyright Protected Material in a Course Pack
Follow the Fair Dealing and Copying Guidelines (see the various links on the Copyright Guide) to determine if copyright protected works can be included in your course manual.
Copying outside of the Fair Dealing guidelines or without a license, and Open license, or permission may result in personal liability for copyright infringement and/or copyright infringement claims against the University.
If you are unsure? There is always an option to request permission from the copyright holder if you are unsure if you can copy for inclusion in a course manual or if the material falls outside the parameters of Fair Dealing. See the box below for tips on obtaining permission.
Best Practices:
Consider alternatives. For example:
What Can I Include In My Course Manual?
If the source is a print item
Copying is permitted without the permission of the copyright holder provided that the amount copied falls within the parameters of Fair Dealing.
You are permitted to copy or adapt all or part of a work that has expired into the public domain.
If the source is from Library Licensed Databases:
Use of licensed material is governed by contractual agreement.
You can reproduce content from a licensed KPU database ONLY IF our license allows copying for course packs. Check the “Terms of Use” for an online journal or research database on the Library website.
This is a two step process:
You’ll get a result screen that looks like this:
Most of our journals are from large bundles, which you can look up using the Research Databases search. However, we have some titles to which we subscribe individually. In these cases, you won’t find the bundle when you search for the name in the Research Databases search. To find out the licensing terms for those titles, please contact your librarian.
Note: each database has its own terms of use so it is possible that if one database does not allow inclusion in course packs, another one might---ask your librarian for help.
If the license agreements do not permit copying for course packs, you can still post a persistent link on your course website.
If the source is publicly available material from the Internet:
Copying is permitted unless:
When using works from the Internet the source must be cited. (URL and author/creator if available)
Remember: the assumption that works from the Internet can be used freely is a false assumption. If the terms and conditions do not permit copying or reuse, you may want to consider just including a link to the website.
The above information relates to publicly available material on the Internet. If you wish to use items that you found through a personal subscription you need to check the terms and conditions as generally use will be restricted to your personal use only.