Copyright and universities: Why fair dealing matters

Copyright and universities… Why fair dealing matters

Canada’s Parliament is currently reviewing our country’s Copyright Act, as is required every five years.

The Copyright Act is vitally important to students and teachers because it guarantees “fair dealing” for education.

Fair dealing ensures all students can access high quality learning materials.

Fair dealing allows the sharing of small portions of larger works without negotiating permission or payment.

As both creators and users of copyright material, universities seek a balanced approach to copyright law.

Fair dealing helps achieve that balance.

Parts of our cultural industries are struggling to adapt to digital disruption, and some point to fair dealing as part of this problem.

But that is untrue. Today’s digital disruption is affecting creative industries around the world.

While universities favour support for copyright owners during this time of transition, changing fair dealing is not the answer.

Changing fair dealing would have a direct impact on the affordability and variety of content for students.

Please let your MP know you want Parliament to protect fair dealing in education.

For more information: www.archives.univcan.ca/copyright