Copyright Guidelines
Respecting copyright is an important part of fostering the creative intellectual atmosphere that universities and colleges strive to sustain. By observing copyright guidelines, McMaster University and individuals associated with this institution demonstrate respect for the work of their colleagues and other fellow academics, authors, artists, etc.
- For information on McMaster University’s policy on copyright: http://cll.mcmaster.ca/resources/copyright.html.
Compliance with the Canadian Copyright Act is required by law. It is a criminal offence to knowingly violate copyright law.
- For information on the Canadian Copyright Act, see: http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca.
McMaster University currently holds a licensing agreement with Access Copyright, the Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency. Access Copyright provides McMaster faculty, staff and students with the ability to copy from a large number of books, magazines and newspapers in a flexible, convenient and economical way. They also ensure that creators and publishers are fairly compensated for the use of their works. There are particular terms that govern day to day (or incidental) copying and the creation of coursepacks.
- For information on Access Copyright, see: www.accesscopyright.ca.
- Day to Day copying is not the same as copying for coursepacks. Visit the Access Copyright website for more information on day to day (or incidental) copying for educational purposes.
Copyright and Custom Courseware
The rules that govern copyright allowances for coursepacks are complex, with many exceptions, and are subject to change. However, when selecting material to include in a coursepack, a good rule of thumb is to limit your material to one article, chapter or essay from a given publication. Specific questions should be directed to the Custom Courseware Department at the Campus Store:
Linda Colarusso |
Monica Palkowski palkowmm@mcmaster.ca ext. 27336 |
Some facts to keep in mind:
- Copyright permission must be secured each and every term the material is used in a coursepack; permission is granted for the duration of the course only. This means that, even if you have used the same material in a coursepack before, we must obtain copyright permission to reproduce it once again.
- McMaster University’s agreement with Access Copyright allows us to reprint certain materials without applying for further permission; however, there are certain terms and a logging procedure which must be followed. Among other things, we must indicate which materials we are copying because part of the service that Access Copyright provides is ensuring that copyright holders are fairly compensated for the use of their works.
- Out of print works that are not commercially available may be copied if Access Copyright confirms in writing that the work is out of print in all editions.
- Not all material is covered by McMaster University’s licence agreement with Access Copyright; some of these exclusions are:
- Unpublished works.
- Consumable items such as published workbooks, assignment sheets and tests.
- Instructional manuals and teacher’s guides.
- Works published in countries with which Access Copyright does not have a reciprocal agreement.
- Business cases which are available for purchase.
- As well as a significant amount of material found on websites.
- In many circumstances we must obtain permission directly from the copyright holder and this can take 6 to 8 weeks to secure. A coursepack cannot legally be printed without clearance of all such material.
