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Copyright and the Library

Canadian Copyright Law

The Canadian Copyright Act is a law that protects the original literary, artistic, musical, or dramatic creation of works.  The owner of the copyright retains the right to control the copying of his/her work and can prohibit the copying of his/her work.  Control over copyright lasts from the original creation of the work until 50 years after the death of the creator.  Federal law states that copyright is automatic and there is no legal requirement to file one’s work with the Canadian Intelletual Property Office (CIPO) or use the copyright symbol (©). However, if the creator is concerned about jeopardizing their legal rights to his/her work, it is recommended that do whatever is necessary to retain their rights.

Handouts

Canadian Copyright Law for Students (PDF)

Canadian Copyright Law for Faculty (PDF)

Canadian Copyright Law for Librarians (PDF)

Public Performance Rights (PPR)

When searching in the YC Library Catalogue, much of the videos and DVDs include information about Public Performance Rights.  The following is an explanation of the terminology which can also be found on the PPR Booklet :

     
  1. “Home use only” (or non-PPR)  The material can only be viewed by a single user, the Library patron, at his or her home for research and educational purposes.   Viewing is not permitted in front of a large audience or classroom regardless of the purpose of presenting the material.
    2.  
  2. “In-library use only” PPR rights have been obtained but only for the material to be presented in the Preview Room, in the Library, and can be viewed by anyone.
    3.  
  3. “On-campus use only” PPR rights have been obtained but only for use of the material while on the campus of Yukon College.   Presenters do not have to be associated with the College as long as they meet the restriction of location and it is for educational purposes only.
    4.  
  4. “Yukon College staff and students only”  PPR have been obtained for the material for use on campus or at home by those individuals either employed by the College or attending classes.   Viewing is for educational and research purposes only.
    5.  
  5. “Library patrons only” Only those with a Yukon College Library patron card may present the material, but can do so at any location.   This term also indicates that the material may be loaned to another institution through the inter-library loan system without first obtaining prior consent from the materials’ producers.

Photocopying

If your academic institution has signed an agreement with The Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency (often referred to as CanCopy), then you can photocopy works up to a certain limit:  No more than 10% of the work or the following, whichever is greater:

     
  1. an entire newspaper article or a page;
    2.  
  2. an entire short story, poem, play, essay, or article from a book or periodical article (including a set of conference proceedings) containing other works;
    3.  
  3. an entire single item of print music from a book or periodical containing other kinds of work;
    4.  
  4. an entire entry from an encyclopedia, dictionary, annotated bibliography, or other similar work;
    5.  
  5. an entire reproduction of an artistic work from a book or periodical issue containing other works;
    6.  
  6. one chapter, provided it is no more than 20% of a book.

Digital copies

For Digital Copies under the Interim Tariff, no copying can exceed 20% of a published work or the following, whichever is greater:

     
  1. an entire newspaper article or a page;
    2.  
  2. an entire short story, poem, play, essay, or article from a book or periodical article (including a set of conference proceedings) containing other works;
    3.  
  3. an entire entry from an encyclopedia, dictionary, annotated bibliography, or similar reference work;
    4.  
  4. an entire reproduction of an artistic work (including drawing, sculpture, painting, prints, architectural works of art or works of artistic craftsmanship) from a book or periodical issue containing other works.
     

The license does not cover Crown publications, workbooks, letters to the editor, advertisements, and most print music.  Any copies made, even if following the above mentioned rules, cannot be sold.  The rules allow for one copy per student and two copies for the Instructor.  For further information, please contact Rob Sutherland, Manager of the Library.