Guide for instructors

Links to legal content

As long as you are linking to legal and legitimate content, linking is okay. For an explanation of content legitimacy and legality, see FAQ 17: How can I tell if the materials I find online are legal copies? When linking to a Library licensed resources, you can use the Make a link to licensed resources page to help you make links that will guide students to authenticate with the Library system off campus. Linking also helps the Library accurately track usage of licensed resources. Usage is just one of the ways the Library evaluates the value of a particular resource.

Content in the Public Domain

Works that are in the public domain, i.e. they are no longer protected by copyright (in Canada, copyright protection generally expires 70 years after the death of the creator). FAQ 04: What is meant by "the public domain"? How do I know if something is in the public domain? explains the public domain in more detail.

Content with an Open License

Creators may assign an open license (such as a Creative Commons license) or specific terms of use to a work that allows you to use the work given that you follow the conditions outlined. For example, many open access articles are assigned a Creative Commons license that allows users to reuse content from the article as long as the use of the work attributes the original creator. Remember! Just because a work is freely available on the internet does not mean that it is in the public domain or that it is openly licensed.

Insubstantial amounts of content

When you want to use part of a work, copyright only applies when the amount you want to use is substantial. This means that when you are using an insubstantial, or very small amount, such as a quote from a work, you do not need to ask permission. If you are unsure if the amount you wish to copy is insubstantial, please contact copyright@uwaterloo.ca.

Content copied under a Copyright Act exception

Works covered by another exception in the Copyright Act, such as Fair Dealing, may be copied without permission. The Fair Dealing Advisory represents the University's guidelines for using Fair Dealing in the classroom. There are other exceptions in the Act, such as the 'Work available through the Internet' section of the Educational Institutions exception, are described further on the Other Copyright Act exceptions page.

Library licensed materials, according to the terms of the license

Library licenses allow you to use electronic materials (such as journals, books, and conference proceedings) with your students in specified ways. Some licence agreements make express allowances for use in LEARN, course reserves, courseware, and interlibrary lending. Other licenses may prohibit one or more of these activities. You can find the list of usage rights for a particular resource by following the instructions on the finding usage rights page. If you have questions about a particular resource, please contact copyright@uwaterloo.ca.

Materials with permissible site terms

Site terms, such as “Terms of Service” or “Terms and Conditions” may be easily scrolled through or passed over. However, use of a website or their services can act as a legal agreement between you and the site/platform. This may dictate what you can and cannot do with their content, and how you may do it.

Carefully read through the Terms and Conditions if you wish to use content from a website. If you are unsure how to navigate the Terms and Conditions, you can always contact copyright@uwaterloo.ca for assistance.

Substantial portions of any work not in the public domain, without a Creative Commons licence, not covered under another exception in the Copyright Act, or for which the University has no other licence, may be communicated or copied only with the express permission of the copyright holder.

Staff at the Library and at the W Store can apply for permission on your behalf when you take advantage of the Course Reserves or Courseware services; more information is available on the Service and resources for teaching page.

Note: If you wish to copy a work for which permission is required, you must get such permission before making the copy(s) and retain a written or email copy of the permission. If your right to make the copy is questioned at a later time, you will need to show evidence that you made the copy with permission from the copyright owner.