York University’s agreement with Access Copyright will end on Aug. 31, 2011. For years, the University paid an annual per student fee to the copyright collective that licenses photocopying and the creation of print course kits.
York University, along with many other Canadian colleges and universities, will manage its own copyright permissions after Aug. 31. In order to copy published materials, specific permission or a licence from the copyright owner is required or, faculty, staff and students may copy or post in compliance with York University’s Fair Dealing Guidelines.
To assist University community members with their understanding of the fair dealing guidelines, the Copyright and You website launched this week. It offers a comprehensive resource for University community members to help them understand their roles and responsibilities and how the fair dealing guidelines work with respect to copyright requirements.
What do these changes mean for the University’s faculty, staff and students?
“Copying practices for teaching and administrative use will change,” explains Patricia Lynch, York University’s copyright officer. “I urge all faculty, staff and students to consult the website for details about options that are available to them as they prepare course materials for the upcoming academic year.”
The new website contains detailed information and FAQs on how this change will affect everything from class handouts and course websites to research at York University.
Why is York University’s licence with Access Copyright ending?
“The changing landscape in technology has led to an increase of licensed electronic resources in the York University Libraries. There are also materials available through Open Access, Creative Commons, fair dealing and transactional licences. These changes mean that Access Copyright’s proposed licence became less relevant to teaching and research in a post secondary environment,” says Lynch. Also Access Copyright has proposed a substantially higher tariff of $45 per full-time student, which would add millions to already tight budgets. York University, along with universities from across Canada, has supported the Association of Universities & Colleges of Canada’s opposition to this increase.
To assist with understanding of the new copyright requirements, new posters in computer labs, classrooms and libraries will highlight the changes. University community members can download a copy for their office from the Copyright and You website. As well, a series of information sessions will roll out during the coming months to help faculty, staff and students learn more about the new fair dealing guidelines and the Canadian Copyright Act.
For more information about the new guidelines or to set up an information session tailored to the needs of your area, contact Patricia Lynch, copyright officer, at pmlynch@yorku.ca.