Copyright Considerations
The SFU Library’s Copyright Office defines copyright as “a set of rights relating to the reproduction of works. Works include text, art, music, dramatic works and computer programs, as well as sound recordings, performances and communication signals.” At SFU, our relationship with these works is governed by both the Copyright Act and the SFU copyright policies which together outline the rights of the copyright holders and how specific works can be used.
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How do I know if I can use a copyrighted item?
As an instructor, it is important to take copyright into consideration both when selecting materials for your courses and when determining how materials should be used by students. Always check the terms of use for statements governing the reuse of the material. Within an educational context, limited usage may be possible under either the Fair Dealing provisions or an educational exception. Where use is not covered by fair dealing or an educational exception (see the SFU Fair Dealing policy & SFU Copyright Infographic for details), or where the terms of use explicitly prohibit copying, you will have to obtain permission to use or copy the material. You can use the copyright decision tree published by the SFU Library to help with your decision-making.
When using materials, always provide proper attribution and/or citation. This chapter on Citation vs. Attribution from the BC Campus Open Education Self Publishing Guide elaborates the similarities and differences between the two and is used under a CC BY 4.0 Licence.
How can I make my course accessible for as many students as possible?
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provide detailed information on how to design and present online content to make it more accessible for users. Beyond the principles outlined within WCAG, you can also promote equitable and accessible learning experiences within your courses by using a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework and keeping in mind these best practices from SFU’s Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL).
Where can I learn more?
For more information about teaching and copyright see the following links on the SFU Copyright website. If you still have questions, please contact the Copyright Office (copy@sfu.ca).
Additional information on the WCAG guidelines and accessibility best practices can be found below:
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