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Copyright at Seneca

The following are educational exemptions in the Copyright Act (Section 29.4) which allow for the copying of copyright protected works without permission from the copyright holder or the payment of royalties.

Reproduction for Tests and Exams

 

Section 29.4 (2) Reproduction for examinations, etc.

This exemption allows for the copying of copyrighted works in tests and exams and permits the distribution of works by telecommunications.

Conditions/Limitations for use under the exemption:

  • the test or exam must take place on the premises of Seneca Polytechnic
  • work must not be commercially available
Abridging Works for Tests and Exams
Under fair dealing faculty are allowed to reproduce and adapt articles for tests and examinations. This means you can abridge them or edit them to make them more clear for students.
 

Conditions/Limitations for Use under the Exemption

  • use only short excerpts (one chapter, one article, one story, or 10% of a work)
  • use legitimate works (no pirated or unlawful copies)
  • cite the work (if you modify it you should state "adapted from..." or "abridged from...")
The rules may be a little different if you use articles/stories from our databases. Some of our databases do not prohibit modifying under the rules above (such as Proquest, EBSCO) but some do not allow modifying content (such as Gale or ASTM). 
 
If you have any questions contact us at theservicehub@senecapolytechnic.ca

Reproduction for Instruction

 

Section 29.4 (1) Reproducing Works for Instruction

This exemption permits an instructor to copy a work, or to do what is necessary to display it to students for the purpose of education or training.

Conditions/Limitations for use under the exemption:

  • the instruction must take place on the premises of Seneca Polytechnic
  • the work must not be commercially available
For copyright recommendations related to online teaching, please see section on Teaching Online.

Public Performance of Sound Recordings

 

This exemption allows for the live performance of a dramatic, literary, musical or cinematographic work or the playing of a sound recording, film or video for the purpose of education or training.

Examples of how you can use music/sound recordings:

  • playing of a song in class as part of your instruction
  • playing radio and television programs while they are being transmitted
  • a concert or play performed by students as part of a class

Conditions/Limitations for use under the exemption:

  • the performance must take place on the premises of Seneca
  • the audience must consist primarily of Seneca students
  • the sound recording, film or video must not be an infringing copy (it can be a purchased copy or a copy borrowed from a library or video store)

 

Note: Sound Recordings from iTunes and other personal subscriptions. Sound recordings from personal subscription such as iTunes are licensed material which require an account with a login and password. Although these subscriptions offer legitimate copies of sound recordings, you are limited to the contractual terms of the subscription license. These terms of use are limited to personal, non-commercial use only and cannot be used for educational purposes.

Reproduction of Broadcasts - News and Commentary

 

This exemption allows the making of a copy of a news or commentary program and show it in class for educational purposes.

Conditions/Limitations for use under the exemption:

  • the copy must be made at the time of the original broadcast to the public
  • the copy must not be an infringing copy
  • the showing must take place on the premises of Seneca Polytechnic
  • the audience must consisting primarily of Seneca students

Reproduction of TV and Radio Broadcasts

 

This exemption allows for the making of a single copy of a broadcast which can be kept for up to 30 days in order to decide whether to show it to students for educational or training purposes.

Conditions/Limitations for use under the exemption:

  • the copy must be made at the time of the original broadcast to the public
  • the copy must not be an infringing copy
  • the copy must be destroyed within 30 days or royalties must be paid
  • records must be kept in relation to making of the copy, destruction of the copy,