Library Guides: Copyright for Faculty at Mohawk College: FAQs

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about copyright

I want to reuse content from a copyrighted work for education and not for profit, what can I do?

If your use falls outside of fair dealing, Access Copyright or a license agreement, you must get permission or follow the terms of use.

Can I use anything I find on the Web?

You need to make sure you are not infringing on copyright. Not all content on the web is in the public domain. Ensure that:

The work was posted by the copyright owner and not by someone else in violation of the copyright owner's rights
The work is not protected by a technological protection measure and is publicly available
There are no terms of use that prohibit use of the material
You cite the work (e.g., state the source, author, URL, etc.)

You can also contact the copyright owner to ask if it is okay to use their material. Note that simply linking to online material with a citation of the source, is usually permitted, as long as that material was originally made available on the web by the copyright owner.

What is public domain?

Public domain is a legal term that has to do with copyright protection of published works. In general, in Canada, an author's work goes into the public domain 70 years after the death of the author.

Can I use any video I find on Youtube or the Web?

Be sure that the rights holder posted the content before you use the material in class or online. If the Youtube video has been posted legitimately and there are no statements limiting use, you may play the video live from the Internet in your class, or embed it in your MyCanvas course but avoid copying or downloading the video file. If embedding in your course, include the citation for the video (e.g., source, creator).

Can I show movies and TV shows from Netflix, Amazon Prime, CBC Gem, Hoopla, Hulu, Disney+, Apple TV and other streaming services?

These streaming sources are licensed for personal use and do not extend to the classroom. They are not considered publicly available as you need to create a login, either paid or free, to access the content. When you create a login, you agree to "Terms of Use" which state that the content is available for personal viewing only. Netflix has recently added an educational screening exception for a limited number of its films. Look for the words "Grant of Permission for Educational Screenings" or "Educational Screenings Permission (ESP)" on media.netflix.com. See this post on Netflix for further information.

Can I play a DVD from my own personal collection or from the Library in class?

As long as the DVD has been legally obtained and is not protected by a digital lock, and it is being played for educational purposes with no profit to be gained, you may play it in class. Public performance rights are no longer necessary when the film is being played during a class for a course. The Library's online streaming video databases may have a license that supersedes Fair Dealing, depending on the publisher. Reach out to your Liaison Librarian for details.

Can I play music I purchased through iTunes in class?

Yes, if you have purchased music from iTunes, you can play it in class.

Can I make a digital copy of a DVD that I own and post it in MyCanvas?

The Copyright Act restricts this kind of copying because it breaks or circumvents digital locks.

Do I own the courses, assignments and other teaching materials that I create?

No, unless a contract has been signed that indicates otherwise, in most cases, the employer owns the rights to the work of their employees. If you have any questions about this you should talk to your AD, Dean or union representative.

Do students own the rights to their work?

Yes they do. You or anyone in the college should get written permission to use student materials e.g., in advertising promotions or fundraising activities.

Can students use copyrighted materials or trademarks in their assignments?

It depends on how the student is using the copyrighted materials or trademarks in their assignments. Students should always credit or acknowledge any work or trademarks that they use and cite materials they use for research. The Library's APA Guide can help with citing. There are limits to how much of a work can be copied under Fair Dealing. Please contact your liaison librarian for further assistance.

How do I cite images in PowerPoint?

You must credit sources in your PowerPoint when using any type of image. Best practice is to cite your image and provide the URL. See more information about how to cite images in APA format.

Can faculty share textbook supplements with students?

If a faculty member has chosen a book for their course, and students are required to purchase the text, faculty should have permission to reuse supplementary materials. Best practice is to connect with the publisher for permission.

Can I copy content from a book and upload it to my MyCanvas course or put it on reserve?

Yes, under Fair Dealing, you may copy a single book chapter, or 10 percent of a work, if the use is for educational purposes, and upload the file to your MyCanvas course or place the hardcopy on reserve in the Library. Access to the content is restricted to those students enrolled in the course. Under the College's Access Copyright license, up to 20% of a book may be copied, depending on the title. Reach out to your liaison librarian if you are not sure.