Copyright in the academic context
The Canadian Copyright Act (R.S.C., 1985, C-42) provides legal protection for original works of authorship. Original works include:
- literary works
- dramatic works
- musical works
- artistic works
- a performer's performance
- communication signals
- sound recordings
Authors’ rights
The author of the work is usually the owner of copyright. As the copyright owner, the author has the right to produce, reproduce, perform, publish, translate or adapt the work. They can also authorize anyone else to exercise these rights.
Users’ rights
The Act provides certain exceptions to copyright infringement. These are regarded as users’ rights. Users’ rights are essential to furthering the public interest objectives of the Act, including encouraging the wider public dissemination of works.
Fair dealing
One of the most important exceptions is known as “fair dealing.” The Act provides that fair dealing for the following purposes does not infringe copyright:
- research
- private study
- education
- parody or satire
- criticism or review
- news reporting
Instructors at UVic are allowed to use, copy and perform works in the classroom or on the premises of an educational institution for teaching and training purposes. These uses are subject to UVic’s Fair Dealing Guidelines.