Obtaining Permission

49. Is there anyone available to help me obtain permission to use copyright-protected materials? 

The W Store obtains copyright-related permissions for printed courseware; the Library obtains permissions for Course Reserves material; and the Centre for Extended Learning obtains permissions for fully online courses. For other uses, you may obtain permission yourself by emailing or writing a letter to the copyright owner.

46. Why is there sometimes a fee for copyright-protected materials used in courseware?

Copyright holders and creators of works have the right to charge a fee for the use of their materials unless the use is otherwise covered by fair dealing, another exception, or a Library licence. These fees vary, usually based on the number of pages or excerpts copied and the number of copies made. All copyright charges are collected on behalf of the copyright holders and remitted to them.

43. Do I need to obtain permission to use copyright material in my course packs?

Under fair dealing, short excerpts of copyright-protected materials may be included in course packs without permission. See the Fair Dealing Advisory for details. In addition some materials covered by licences that the Library has for electronic resources may be included in course packs.

38. Is Course Reserves permitted to scan articles or chapters and put them on electronic reserve for students in my course?

Yes. In many cases, works may be scanned and posted under fair dealing or licence terms without the need to obtain permission. When permission is required, this process can take several weeks. When there is a fee for permission, the Library will usually be able to absorb the cost as long as it is reasonable. 

17. How can I tell if the materials I find online are legal copies?

Figuring out if the content you want to use was legally posted online can be difficult. That said, there are a few things to keep in mind when assessing content that will help you make a more informed decision. If you are having difficulty figuring out if the content you want to use is a legal copy, please contact us at copyright@uwaterloo.ca.

16. Are there special rules for scanning copyrighted materials?

If you want to scan something, you may do so only if the use falls within one of the exceptions in the Copyright Act (such as fair dealing) or when no permission is required (such as scanning a work that is in the public domain).

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