Library Resources for Faculty

How do I make sure the files I upload to Canvas are compliant with SWU's Copyright Policy?

• Video and audio files should be streamed, rather than posted as files that can be downloaded.
• You should create all files, including clips, from LEGALLY MADE AND OBTAINED copies of the work. (e.g. you should not upload files from a burned CD, etc.)
• You may choose to "lock" PDF files so they can be viewed but not downloaded. This is not required.

Do I have to get permission from the library to use any copyrighted material in the classroom (online or face-to-face)?

No you do not. Instructors can use many types of copyrighted material in the online classroom. By understanding some of the basics of “fair use” (see section above), you will be able to determine whether your use is appropriate on your own. 

Since MySWU/Canvas is password-protected, I don't have to worry about fair use or copyright, right?

No--copyright applies to the password-protected learning management system (LMS) as well. Anytime you place a file in a Canvas course, you are making a digital copy of that item. 

If I see an article either online or in a journal to which I subscribe, can I copy it and hand it out to my students, or make a PDF of it and put it in my Canvas course?

Yes. Even though you are making a copy, you are doing so within the bounds of fair use. HOWEVER--if you plan to use that item for more than that SINGLE course offering, you must seek permission.

You should also just copy ONE article...not the the entire issue of the journal, for instance.

Can I scan items and email them to my students directly? It's so much easier for me.

No--you cannot. Emailing the article is not appropriate use of peer-to-peer file sharing. To comply with the SWU copyright policy, you should place a PDF of the article within your course. Students registered for your course can then access it behind the password-protected learning management system.

Can I embed YouTube videos in my Canvas course? Can I show videos in the face-to-face classroom without worrying about copyright?

Yes. Embedding videos in your course or showing them in class does not make a copy of the video. If the owner of the video takes down the content, it will no longer work in your Canvas course or play in your class.

Downloading the video and putting it into your Canvas course permanently would not be acceptable for longer than one semester. 

I would like to copy the lab manual, workbook, or some other supplemental material that corresponds to the student’s textbooks they are using for the course. They cost so much---I would like to save them some money by scanning in the material and putting the PDF file in the Canvas course. Is this okay?

No. You should not copy and distribute “consumables” such as workbooks, lab manuals, and other types of materials like this--not even for just one semester.

I have a DVD at my house that I would like to upload and show in my online course. Does this violate copyright?

You must follow the fair use guidelines and the guidelines in the TEACH ACT (see sections above) and upload what is considered a “reasonable and limited portion” and you must not use the same DVD (or DVD clip) for MULTIPLE semesters WITHOUT seeking permission.

Can I stream videos from my personal Netflix account to show in the classroom?

Yes. You can stream a video in this manner in the face-to-face classroom without violating copyright. It is similar to renting a physical copy of the movie and showing it in the classroom.

I would like to embed links in my Canvas course (assignment, discussion, etc.) to a radio broadcast or podcast (like from NPR.org). Is that okay to do?

Yes. You may place links to any website or page in your Canvas course. If the owner of the video takes down the content, it will no longer work in your Canvas course. This is true for radio broadcast or podcast.

I would like to download the ,mp4 file (or other type of file) of a podcast and put it in my course, so that students can access it in case the link doesn't work. Is that okay to do?

Yes, but for ONE SEMESTER/COURSE OFFERING only.

I know we aren't supposed to put PDFs of material in a course, but someone else already posted it online. Can I just link to it?

You can--but consider it carefully. It technically doesn’t violate copyright for you to put a link in your course, but it isn’t ethical, either, since the person who uploaded the content probably isn't following appropriate copyright/fair use guidelines. You should probably use your good judgment and seek appropriate permission.

I would like to pull in images that I found online to enhance the power point files that the publisher sent me with the textbook. This does not violate copyright, right?

Probably not. Use of images in the classroom setting are covered under fair use. HOWEVER—you must not use the images for multiple semesters without getting permission. It would be a good idea to check the terms of use statement from the publisher.

I would like to use the power points that the publisher sent with the textbook for the course, but I need to make edits to make the material more tailored to my teaching style. Is this okay?

It depends. You need to check with the publisher to know for sure.

Rickman Library is particularly indebted to the University of Maryland University College "Copyright & Fair Use" page, Stanford Copyright and Fair Use Website, in addition to the University System of Georgia "Policy for Copyrighted Works in Education & Research", for the use of their web pages to compile the above information.