


What is Copyright?




Copying guidelines

Who owns the copyright?

Most authors no longer hold copyright to the original works they have created. They have either created the work in the course of employment, or in seeking publication, they have assigned copyright to a publisher. Publishers of electronic journals gave access to their content to subscribers. These licenses define the rights subscribers have, such as the right to print or download or distribute articles.

Copyright Permissions

First, you need to determine who owns the copyright. Is it the creator/author, the employer, the publisher, or someone else? Sometimes simply determining who owns the copyright can be difficult. After you have determined who holds the copyright, you need to request from them permission to use their work. You need to specify what part of their work you want to use, how you want to
use it, and how many people are going to get it.

How do you copyright your work?

Copyright is bestowed automatically when you create an original work. You do not have to do anything. You are automatically protected by law. It is also good practice to “mark” your work with the copyright symbol, e.g. © Jane Doe, 2013. Although marking is not necessary in Canada for a work to be protected, it serves notice that the work is protected and directs would-be users to the copyright owner.

As definitive proof of copyright ownership, you may choose to register your work by filing an application with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO). e benefit of doing so is that you receive a certificate that states you are the copyright owner. In Canada, copyright for literary work lasts the lifetime of the creator plus 50 years following their death. There is a small fee charged by Canadian Intellectual Property Offi ce to make an application.

Fair Dealing

Copying or scanning for personal use


Substantiality and proportionality



  • the purpose of the dealing
  • the character of the dealing
  • the amount of the dealing
  • the nature of the work
  • available alternatives to the dealing
  • the effect of the dealing on the work


Fair Dealing Exemptions to Infringement

In the Fair Dealing sections of the Copyright Act, special exceptions to infringement are granted to two categories of users: Libraries Archives and Museums, and Educational Institutions.All college and university libraries and the academic health science libraries operating in them, and many other health science libraries would be considered libraries under the Act.

Signed License Agreements with Vendors and Publishers

CMCC has signed license agreements with vendors and publishers, the terms of that agreement will define or limit copyright permissions granted to us as licensees of electronic resources.




Obtaining Copyright Permissions



Open Access and Public Domain

Open access to a work online does not mean it is in the public domain. Works in the public domain are ones in which copyright has expired. Open access works are those that the copyright owner has made accessible for use, but in which they still retain ownership.



Where can I find help with other copyright questions?
