CopyrightCopyright literally means the “right to copy” and generally refers to the exclusive right to produce or reproduce a work, or any substantial part of one. Copyright law seeks to strike a balance between creator and user rights. Your role is to ensure that when you use copyright material you do so legally and respectfully to the rights of creators.
What Does Copyright Protect?Copyright, a form of intellectual property law, protects original works of authorship including literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, such as poetry, novels, movies, songs, computer software, and architecture. Please note Canadian Government documents are subject to Crown Copyright. While it is possible to register a Copyright in Canada this is not required. Copyright protection is automatic under the law at the point a work exists in a fixed format typically on paper or in the form of a digital file. Copyright does not protect facts, titles, names, short phrases, works for which the copyright has expired (in Canada life of the author plus 50 years), or on works created by the US government.
Contact the Copyright OfficerDo you have concerns or questions about copyright? RRC Polytech has a self-directed Copyright Training program for Faculty and Staff that can help further answer your questions, the college also has a Copyright Officer on staff with the Library team who is able to assist you with advice on following copyright policy, and is able to assess your course material for potential copyright concerns. If you need to use part of a resource above what is permitted by copyright policy the copyright officer can look into additional licensing options on your behalf, or assist with permission requests to publishers, authors and creators for use of material. The copyright officer can also assist you in sourcing open access, and creative commons resources for use in your teaching and instruction. If you need assistance with copyright as a student or employee of RRC Polytech contact:
Ebony Novakowski
Copyright Officer
Notre Dame Campus CM43 (Library)
P: 204-632-2913
E-Mail
