Licensing and Copyright Resources for Western Faculty

Comparing Copyright and Creative Commons

As discussed in a previous chapter, Creative Commons licenses do not replace copyright, Instead copyright and Creative Commons work together.  To learn more about how the two concepts relate please visit the eCampusOntario Extend module on Curation.

Help with Copyright

Copyright@Western

Western faculty, staff and students can get help with copyright by visiting Copyright@Western. Below is a Decision Map which can be used to help instructors understand how copyright applies to the work they are considering.

Course Readings

Course Readings is a service offered by Western Libraries that makes it easier for instructors to give students access to supplementary course material.  Course Readings includes the following services:

• • Scan and upload book chapters and articles.
  • Ensure stable links to online resources.
  • Place books and other physical items on short-term loan.
  • Purchase new books for the collection.
  • Assist with copyright compliance and pay clearance fees.

Licensed Use

If an OER resource is not available, instructors at Western also have access to many copyright protected materials. Western University has negotiated, on behalf of its user community, many license agreements for electronic resources. These agreements outline terms of use and protection of copyright. Please visit the Licensed Use Guidelines or see the Licensed Use Search Tool for information and resources.

OpenAccess Scholarship

For researchers at Western, there are resources to help with disseminating materials in an open fashion.  From Western Libraries Open Access site:

“Open Access is the barrier-free, immediate availability of research outputs coupled with the rights to fully use and build upon these outputs. Open access works are available at no cost to all readers, and are licensed to allow users to retain, reuse, revise, redistribute, or remix the work without seeking permission.”

For further information about publishing options for Western researchers please see the Western Libraries.