The NSCC Copyright Decision Tool is a resource that helps you determine if your use of a copyright-protected work qualifies as fair dealing or an education exception.
Fair dealing is a user's right that allows you to copy short excerpts without requesting permission from the copyright owner. For more information about fair dealing read NSCC's Fair Dealing Guidelines.
Tip: Using the tool for more than one question?
Refresh the answer options by clicking on your last answer
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under the fair dealing exception.
Sharing links to content on the web (as an alternative to copying) is a recommended practice as long as the content is posted by (or with permission from) the copyright owner.
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under the fair dealing exception.
You may copy up to a full article from each issue of a periodical for the purpose of education. See Using D2L in the Information for Instructors section of this guide for more information.
Sharing links to content on the web (as an alternative to copying) is a recommended practice as long as the content is posted by (or with permission from) the copyright owner.
Note: Learning management systems (e.g., D2L) must be password-protected and restricted to NSCC students.
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under the fair dealing exception.
Sharing links to content on the web (as an alternative to copying) is a recommended practice as long as the content is posted by (or with permission from) the copyright owner.
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under the fair dealing exception.
You may copy and email up to a full article from each issue of a periodical for the purpose of education.
» If the work is being distributed to an open audience (e.g., access is not restricted) or distributed in a way that is not well-defined (e.g., access is ongoing), consult the Fair Dealing Guidelines or contact the Copyright Office for more assistance.
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under the fair dealing exception.
You may copy up to a full article from each issue of a periodical for the purpose of private study or research.
Note: If you are planning on publishing your research, in general, you may not include a copy of the article, or even a substantial portion, with your publication – doing so may not be considered fair dealing.
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under the fair dealing exception.
You may copy up to a full article from each issue of a periodical as part of the research process, and include portions within your work. However, you should generally be discussing or analyzing the content of this article, as opposed to simply reproducing it within your work.
Note: As part of your critique, review or news report, you must mention the source and, if provided, list the author(s) or creator(s). If you are planning on publishing your work, it may be preferable to obtain permission from the owner of the copyright for the article.
» You are not permitted to use copyright-protected work for commercial purposes unless you receive permission from the copyright owner.
» Contact the Copyright Office if you need assistance in determining whether a permission or license is required.
» Consider searching for content that has an open copyright license like Creative Commons or is in the open domain (free of copyright restrictions).
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under the fair dealing exception.
You may copy approximately 10% or a full chapter, whichever is greater, from a book for the purpose of education. See Using copyright protected materials in class for more information.
Sharing links to content on the web (as an alternative to copying) is a recommended practice as long as the content is posted by (or with permission from) the copyright owner.
Note: Learning management systems (e.g., D2L) must be password-protected and restricted to NSCC students.
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under the fair dealing exception.
Sharing links to content on the web (as an alternative to copying) is a recommended practice as long as the content is posted by (or with permission from) the copyright owner.
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under the fair dealing exception.
You may copy and email approximately 10% or a full chapter, whichever is greater, from a book for the purpose of education.
» If the work is being distributed to an open audience (e.g., access is not restricted) or distributed in a way that is not well-defined (e.g., access is ongoing), consult the Fair Dealing Guidelines or contact the Copyright Office for more assistance.
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under fair dealing.
You may copy approximately 10% or a full chapter from a book, whichever is greater, for the purpose of private study or research.
Note: If you are planning on publishing your research, in general, you may not include a copy of the book sections, or even a substantial portion, with your publication – doing so may not be considered fair dealing.
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under the fair dealing exception.
You may copy approximately 10% or a full chapter from a book, whichever is greater, as part of the research process, and include portions within your work. However, you should generally be discussing or analyzing the content of the book sections, as opposed to simply reproducing them within your work.
Note: As part of your critique, review or news report, you must mention the source and, if provided, list the author(s) or creator(s). If you are planning on publishing your work, it may be preferable to obtain permission from the owner of the copyright for the book.
» You are not permitted to use copyright-protected work for commercial purposes unless you receive permission from the copyright owner.
» Contact the Copyright Office if you need assistance in determining whether a permission or license is required.
» Consider searching for content that has an open copyright license like Creative Commons or is in the open domain (free of copyright restrictions).
Did you know that you have access through NSCC Library licensed content to image databases? For more information about high quality licensed content and images free of copyright restrictions go to the page in this guide on using images.
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under the fair dealing exception.
You may copy the entire artistic work for education. See Using D2L for more information.
Note: Learning management systems (e.g., D2L) must be password-protected and restricted to NSCC students.
Did you know that you have access through NSCC Library licensed content to image databases? For more information about high quality licensed content and images free of copyright restrictions go to the page in this guide on using images.
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under the fair dealing exception.
Did you know that you have access through the NSCC Library licensed content to image databases? For more information about high quality licensed content and images free of copyright restrictions go to the page in this guide on using images.
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under the fair dealing exception.
You may copy and email the entire artistic work for the purpose of education.
Did you know that you have access through the NSCC Library licensed content to image databases? For more information about high quality licensed content and images free of copyright restrictions go to the page in this guide on using images.
» If the work is being distributed to an open audience (e.g., access is not restricted) or distributed in a way that is not well-defined (e.g., access is ongoing), consult the Fair Dealing Guidelines or contact the Copyright Office for more assistance.
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under the fair dealing exception.
You may copy the entire artistic work for the purpose of private study or research.
Note: If you are planning on publishing your research, in general, you may not include a copy of the artistic work with your publication – doing so may not be considered fair dealing.
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under the fair dealing exception.
You may copy the entire artistic work as part of the research process, and include it within your work. However, you should generally be discussing or analyzing the content of this artistic work, as opposed to simply reproducing it within your work.
Note: As part of your critique, review or news report, you must mention the source and, if provided, list the author(s) or creator(s). If you are planning on publishing your work, it may be preferable to obtain permission from the owner of the copyright for the artistic work.
» You are not permitted to use copyright-protected work for commercial purposes unless you receive permission from the copyright owner.
» Contact the Copyright Office if you need assistance in determining whether a permission or license is required.
» Consider searching for content that has an open copyright license like Creative Commons or is in the open domain (free of copyright restrictions).
» If the work of interest (e.g., a painting) is not taken from a copyright-protected work containing other such works (e.g., a book containing numerous paintings), you may not use more than 10% of the work. For example, if you wish to use a single painting by Pablo Picasso, you should retrieve it from a copyright-protected book that contains multiple paintings.
Is the image from the internet?
Your copying may qualify for an educational institution users' right.
You can copy content from websites for an educational purpose if your copying meets the following conditions:
• The website content is posted by or with permission from the copyright owner.
• The content is not protected by a digital lock -- for example password protected access to content.
• There is no notice on the website that prohibits copying -- check for a terms of use statement on the website.
• A notice must be more than a copyright symbol or all rights reserved phrase.
• You give credit for the copied content and include attribution to the website, and include creator names if mentioned along with the url.
Did you know that you have access through the NSCC Library licensed content to image databases? For more information about high quality licensed content and images free of copyright restrictions go to the page in this guide on using images.
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under the fair dealing exception.
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under the fair dealing exception.
You may copy and email the entire poem or musical score for the purpose of education.
» If the work is being distributed to an open audience (e.g., access is not restricted) or distributed in a way that is not well-defined (e.g., access is ongoing), consult the Fair Dealing Guidelines or contact the Copyright Office for more assistance.
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under the fair dealing exception.
You may copy the entire poem or musical score for the purpose of private study or research.
Note: If you are planning on publishing your research, in general, you may not include a copy of the poem or musical score with your publication – doing so may not be considered fair dealing.
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under the fair dealing exception.
You may copy the entire poem or musical score as part of the research process, and include portions within your work. However, you should generally be discussing or analyzing the content of the poem or musical score, as opposed to simply reproducing it within your work.
Note: As part of your critique, review or news report, you must mention the source and, if provided, list the author(s) or creator(s). If you are planning on publishing your work, it may be preferable to obtain permission from the owner of the copyright for the poem or musical score.
» You are not permitted to use copyright-protected work for commercial purposes unless you receive permission from the copyright owner.
» Contact the Copyright Office if you need assistance in determining whether a permission or license is required.
» Consider searching for content that has an open copyright license like Creative Commons or is in the open domain (free of copyright restrictions).
» If the work of interest (e.g., a poem) is not taken from a copyright-protected work containing other such works (e.g., an anthology of numerous poems), you may not use more than 10% of the work. For example, if you wish to use a single poem by Edgar Allan Poe, you should retrieve it from a copyright-protected book or anthology containing multiple poems.
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under the fair dealing exception.
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under the fair dealing exception.
You may copy and email the full article from an issue of a newspaper for the purpose of education.
» If the work is being distributed to an open audience (e.g., access is not restricted) or distributed in a way that is not well-defined (e.g., access is ongoing), consult the Fair Dealing Guidelines or contact the Copyright Office for more assistance.
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under the fair dealing exception.
You may copy up to a full article from each issue of a newspaper for the purpose of private study or research.
Note: If you are planning on publishing your research, in general, you may not include a copy of the article with your publication – doing so may not be considered fair dealing.
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under the fair dealing exception.
You may copy the entire newspaper article as part of the research process, and include portions within your work. However, you should generally be discussing or analyzing the content of this article, as opposed to simply reproducing it within your work.
Note: As part of your critique, review or news report, you must mention the source and, if provided, list the author(s) or creator(s). If you are planning on publishing your work, it may be preferable to obtain permission from the owner of the copyright for the article.
» You are not permitted to use copyright-protected work for commercial purposes unless you receive permission from the copyright owner.
» Contact the Copyright Office if you need assistance in determining whether a permission or license is required.
» Consider searching for content that has an open copyright license like Creative Commons or is in the open domain (free of copyright restrictions).
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under the fair dealing exception.
You may copy an entire entry from a reference book for the purpose of education, so long that no more of the work is copied than is necessary to achieve the allowable purpose. See Using copyright protected materials in class for more information.
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under the fair dealing exception.
You may copy an entire entry from a reference book for the purpose of education, so long that no more of the work is copied than is necessary to achieve the allowable purpose. See Using D2L for more information.
Note: Learning management systems (e.g., D2L) must be password-protected and restricted to NSCC students.
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under the fair dealing exception.
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under the fair dealing exception.
You may copy and email the entire entry from a reference book for the purpose of education.
» If the work is being distributed to an open audience (e.g., access is not restricted) or distributed in a way that is not well-defined (e.g., access is ongoing), consult the Fair Dealing Guidelines or contact the Copyright Office for more assistance.
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under the fair dealing exception.
You may copy an entire entry from a reference book for the purpose of private study or research.
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under the fair dealing exception.
You may copy the entire entry from a reference book. However, you should generally be discussing or analyzing the content of this reference book, as opposed to simply reproducing it within your work.
Note: As part of your critique, review or news report, you must mention the source and, if provided, list the author(s) or creator(s). If you are planning on publishing your work, it may be preferable to obtain permission from the owner of the copyright for the reference book.
» You are not permitted to use copyright-protected work for commercial purposes unless you receive permission from the copyright owner.
» Contact the Copyright Office if you need assistance in determining whether a permission or license is required.
» Consider searching for content that has an open copyright license like Creative Commons or is in the open domain (free of copyright restrictions).
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under the Educational Institutions Performances exception Copyright Act RSC 1985, c-42, s 29.5.
You may present an audiovisual or sound recording in class for an educational purpose so long as:
» The copy was obtained legally (e.g., owned, borrowed, rented, NSCC licensed content)
» The audience consists primarily of students, instructors, or curriculum developers.
Contact your campus library or the Copyright Office if you need assistance finding or using audiovisual or sound recordings.
Maybe we have the film in one of our streaming video databases
You can show the entire work if the content is linked from our licensed resources. For more information go to NSCC Library Services licensed streaming video content.
Note: If you are using an audiovisual or sound recording found on the internet, you may only show it in class if you reasonably think that the copyright holder permitted its use online (e.g., an episode of This Hour Has 22 Minutes is posted in the online catalogue at CBC.ca).
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under the fair dealing exception.
You may present, copy and/or distribute up to 10% of an audiovisual work or sound recording on a learning management system (e.g., D2L).
Maybe we have the film in one of our streaming video databases
If you are using an audiovisual or sound recording found on the internet, you may also link to it from your D2L course if you know that the copyright holder allows online use (e.g., an episode of This Hour Has 22 Minutes is posted in the online catalogue at CBC.ca).
Sharing links to content on the web (as an alternative to copying) is a recommended practice as long as the content is posted by (or with permission from) the copyright owner.
Note: Learning management systems (e.g., D2L) must be password-protected and restricted to NSCC students. Contact your Campus Librarian or the Copyright Office if you need assistance.
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under the fair dealing exception.
You may present, copy and/or distribute up to 10% of an audiovisual work or sound recording to students by e-mail. Contact your Campus Library or the Copyright Office if you need more information or guidance.
Maybe we have the film in one of our streaming video databases -- You can show the entire work if the content is linked from our licensed resources. For more information go to NSCC Library Services licensed streaming video content.
Links
Sharing links to content on the web (as an alternative to copying) is a recommended practice as long as the content is posted by (or with permission from) the copyright owner.
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under the fair dealing exception.
You may copy approximately 10% of an audiovisual or sound recording for the purpose of private study or research.
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under the fair dealing exception.
You may copy approximately 10% of an audiovisual or sound recording as part of the research process, and include portions within your work. However, you should generally be discussing or analyzing the audiovisual or sound recording, as opposed to simply reproducing it within your work.
Note: As part of your critique, review or news report, you must mention the source and, if provided, list the author(s) or creator(s). If you are planning on publishing your work, it may be preferable to obtain permission from the owner of the copyright for the audiovisual or sound recording.
» You are not permitted to use copyright-protected work for commercial purposes unless you receive permission from the copyright owner.
» Contact the Copyright Office if you need assistance in determining whether a permission or license is required.
For instance, if you would like to use music for non-educational purposes, as background music at a conference or in an athletic facility, licenses should be obtained from the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) and Re:Sound. For more information go to the NSCC guide on Music Licences.
» Consider searching for content that has an open copyright license like Creative Commons or is in the open domain (free of copyright restrictions).
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under the Fair Dealing exception or the Educational Institutions exception -- Work Available on the Internet .
Fair Dealing
You may present, copy and/or distribute up to 10% of an audiovisual work or sound recording on a learning management system (e.g., D2L).
Educational Institutions exception -- Work Available on the Internet
» You can copy content from websites for an educational purpose if your copying meets the following conditions:
The website content is posted by or with permission from the copyright owner.
» The content is not protected by a digital lock -- for example password protected access to content.
» There is no notice on the website that prohibits copying -- check for a terms of use statement on the website.
» A notice must be more than a copyright symbol or all rights reserved phrase.
» You give credit for the copied content and include attribution to the website, and include creator names if mentioned along with the url.
Maybe we have the film in one of our streaming video databases -- You can show the entire work if the content is copied or linked from our licensed resources. For more information go to NSCC Library Services licensed streaming video content.
If you are using an audiovisual or sound recording found on the internet, you may also link to it on D2L if you know that the copyright holder permitted its use online (e.g., an episode of This Hour Has 22 Minutes is posted in the online catalogue at CBC.ca).
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under the Fair Dealing exception or the Educational Institutions exception -- Work Available on the Internet .
Fair Dealing
You may present, copy and/or distribute up to 10% or one article to a learning management system (e.g., D2L).
Educational Institutions exception -- Work Available on the Internet
» You can copy content from websites for an educational purpose if your copying meets the following conditions:
The website content is posted by or with permission from the copyright owner.
» The content is not protected by a digital lock -- for example password protected access to content.
» There is no notice on the website that prohibits copying -- check for a terms of use statement on the website.
» A notice must be more than a copyright symbol or all rights reserved phrase.
» You give credit for the copied content and include attribution to the website, and include creator names if mentioned along with the url.
Links
Sharing links to content on the web (as an alternative to copying) is a recommended practice as long as the content is posted by (or with permission from) the copyright owner.
Licensed Content
Maybe we have the content in one of our licensed databases -- You use the entire work if the content is copied or linked from our licensed resources. For more information go to the NSCC D2L Get Started Guide.
Note: Learning management systems (e.g., D2L) must be password-protected and restricted to NSCC students. Contact your Campus Librarian or the Copyright Office if you need assistance.
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under the Fair Dealing exception or the Educational Institutions exception -- Work Available on the Internet .
Fair Dealing
You may present, copy and/or distribute up to 10%, or one article.
Educational Institutions exception -- Work Available on the Internet
You can copy content from websites for an educational purpose if your copying meets the following conditions:
» The website content is posted by or with permission from the copyright owner.
» The content is not protected by a digital lock -- for example password protected access to content.
» There is no notice on the website that prohibits copying -- check for a terms of use statement on the website.
» A notice must be more than a copyright symbol or all rights reserved phrase.
» You give credit for the copied content and include attribution to the website, and include creator names if mentioned along with the url.
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under the fair dealing exception.
You may copy approximately 10% of an audiovisual or sound recording for the purpose of private study or research; you can copy an article from each issue of a newspaper or an article from a webpage or e-journal.
Note: If you are planning on publishing your research, in general, you may not include copies with your publication, doing so may not be considered fair dealing.
» Your responses suggest that this use is permitted under the fair dealing exception.
You may copy approximately 10% as part of the research process, and include portions within your work. However, you should generally be discussing or analyzing as opposed to simply reproducing it within your work.
Note: As part of your critique, review or news report, you must mention the source and, if provided, list the author(s) or creator(s). If you are planning on publishing your work, it may be preferable to obtain permission from the owner of the copyright for the audiovisual or sound recording.
» You are not permitted to use copyright-protected work for commercial purposes unless you receive permission from the copyright owner.
» Content on the internet is protected by copyright and the default status is copyright protection.
» Check for Terms of Use statements on websites for permitted uses.
Consider searching for content that has an open copyright license like Creative Commons or is in the open domain (free of copyright restrictions).
» Creative Commons is an open model of copyright licensing. Creators can make their content free to use but there may be conditions attached to their use; for instance attribution (credit to the creator) and agreeing to share the content forward.
Some licenses allow content to be modified. Check the Creative Commons license for conditions of use. For more information please consult the Open Educational Resource Guide or contact the Copyright Office for assistance.
» For those works that are not listed above please consult the NSCC Copyright Subject Guide or contact the Copyright Office for more assistance.
CONTACT INFORMATION NSCC Copyright Office
copyright@nscc.ca
Can I use it?