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Copyright for course packs

Adding readings to Canvas

Copyright applies regardless of format or published status. 

The following material types are all entitled to copyright protection:

  • books
  • journals and magazines
  • newspapers
  • musical scores
  • films 
  • images (art works, photographs, cartoons etc) 
  • websites & blogs
  • computer software

Copyright is an automatic right placed on original works at creation for a period of time specified by law. It does not have to be registered or accompanied by the © symbol for protection to apply. Copyright protections lasts for a specified length of time:

•    For a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work usually 70 years from the end of the year in which the author died.
•    Copyright in a sound recording, broadcast and cable programmes expires 50 years from the end of the year in which it was made.

•    Films are protected for 70 years after death of the last to die of the director, the author of the screenplay/dialogue or the composer of the music created for and used in the film.

•    Copyright in a published edition/typographical arrangement expires 25 years from the end of the year in which the edition was first published. 
For further details go to these pages by the IPO.

There are two methods of making readings available in Canvas

      a) Attaching a file you have saved - this is copying - watch out - copyright applies! 
      b) Linking - to a live/dynamic website, or to an item in a subscribed LBS resource.  This is the preferred option.

Linking is preferred - but you need to ensure your link to a SUBSCRIBED RESOURCE will work on and off campus. See our instructions on how to make reliable links. In this guide are instructions on the different kinds of materials you may want to use in Canvas courses.