1. I found the material I want to use on the internet, doesn’t that mean it’s ok for me to use it without permission?
Material found online is still protected by copyright! The rules for items found online are the same as for items you find anywhere else, like a book or magazine.
2. I made a poster using Canva.com, is it ok to post it to the website/tweet it?
Yes, Canva's terms and conditions allow us to distribute material created through their service online.
3. I want to use the text from another library's libguide in one of our libguides, is that ok?
As long as their libguide is labled as ok to reuse (ie. with a Creative Commons License) and you provide attribution then it's ok.
4. How does copyright work internationally?
Copyright is recognized internationally due to international conventions, however the specific copyright laws may differ from country to country. Generally, your copyright will be protected in other countries but it is protected under laws of the country where the copyrighted material is used, not necessarily where it is produced, so there may be some differences from the level of protection you would get in Canada. If you’re concerned about someone’s use of your work in other countries, you will need to check the particular jurisdiction’s copyright laws to confirm whether they are infringing your copyright.
5. How do I get permission to use someone else's work?
You ask. If your use isn’t permitted by a license, or one of the exceptions in the Copyright Act of Canada, you will need to ask for permission. If the copyright owner is easily identifiable and locatable, you can contact them directly. Usually you will be able to identify the owner somewhere on the work by looking for the copyright symbol ©, which should have the copyright owner’s name next to it. You’ll often find this at the beginning of a book, at the side of a photograph or at the bottom of a web page. Once you’ve located the owner, simply email or write to him/her, explaining how and why you want to use the work and requesting permission. The permission should be in writing; an email consent will suffice. It is not advisable to rely on verbal permission. You should also keep a file record of who gave the permission, what was permitted, the date, and how to contact the person who gave the permission.
6. Are there special rules for scanning?
If you want to scan something, you may do so if the use falls within one of the exceptions in the Copyright Act of Canada, such as fair dealing, or if the work is in the public domain. Scanning a copyright protected work is subject to the same rules as photocopying or posting a work onto a learning management system. If your use is not permitted by a license, or one of the exceptions in the Copyright Act of Canada, you will need to ask for permission from the copyright owner.
