copyright@douglascollege.ca for general assistance.
Contact Katharine Shipley, Associate Director for Learning Resources for Faculty/staff workshops, assistance with copyright permissions for publishing or with questions about this guide's content.
Copyright is the exclusive legal right to produce, reproduce, publish or perform an original literary, artistic, dramatic or musical work. The creator is usually, but not always, the copyright owner.
Use of copyright-protected content on campus for educational purposes are governed by:
Through the Library, we offer resources such as this LibGuide, workshops, services such as obtaining permissions for purposes other than coursepacks and advice. Contact us a copyright@douglascollege.ca for assistance with any of the above, including creating a workshop for your department.
In Canada, copyright is automatic for original works in a fixed format. Examples would be:
Copyright in Canada lasts for the life of the creator + 70 years following their death. When copyright expires, works enter the public domain.
Registering your work with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office is optional, but can serve as proof of ownership if needed.
Facts and ideas are not protected under copyright law. Copyright protects the expression of an idea, not the idea itself.
| Not Protected vs. | Protected | |
|---|---|---|
| The idea for a plot | The expression of a plot idea, e.g., in a novel, manuscript, or movie | |
| Facts | A newspaper article containing facts |
The information in this resource should not be considered legal advice. The purpose of this guide is to provide Douglas College faculty and students with general information about copyright.