31. May I play music in class?

Yes! The Copyright Act allows instructors to play a sound recording or a live audio broadcast in class as long as it is for educational purposes, not for profit, on University premises, and before an audience consisting primarily of students. However, if you want to use music for non-educational purposes (for example, as background music at a conference or in an athletic facility), a licence must be obtained from the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) or from Re:Sound, depending on which copyright collective owns the rights to the music you are looking to use.

Frequently Asked Questions