copyright symbolUML online courses need to be copyright compliant so that they are not violating any related laws. For that reason, it’s critical that you as a GPS online instructor have a clear understanding of what materials are copyright compliant. The information on this page is intended to provide some practical guidance about using external resources in your online course.

The following are copyright compliant:

  • links to journal articles, digital book chapters, etc. in the library’s databases
  • copyrighted materials you have permission to use
  • links to (most) materials on the web
  • digital resources from adopted publisher texts
  • cartoons and graphics free online and free of watermarks

Use Links for Resources that are Available on the Web

This is general guidance for all types of media – You can link from Canvas or Blackboard to [almost] anything on the web and still be in compliance. If you find yourself scanning readings, digitizing media, or uploading files that you did not create, then you may be violating copyright laws.

Use Permalinks for Journal Articles and Library Resources

If you have a scanned or downloaded PDF file of a journal article, it is not okay to upload this to Canvas or Blackboard, even though it is the easiest way to share with your students. Uploading PDFs of articles without permission is a violation of copyright law, especially if there is a paywall in place that blocks the article from public consumption (i.e., a Wall Street Journal article).

screenshot of the Permalink button from a Library resource pageYou can often provide a direct link to an article through the UML Library’s web site with the “Permalink” feature. Search for the article you want to share with students, click the "PDF Full Text" link, and then locate the Permalink button (this may be an icon of a link or it may say Permalink). Copy the Permalink (not the URL in your browser) and use this for adding to Canvas or Blackboard or emailing your students.

The Library has additional instructions for using Permalinks in your course.

If you have a copy of an article from a journal that you want to include in an online course, check the UML e- journals first to see if a full text version of the article is available.

Publisher Resources

Your adopted textbook may come with a wealth of digital resources. Generally, if your students are all purchasing a copy of the book, then you can upload accompanying files provided by your publisher. Do not upload or use materials from a published textbook that your current students have not purchased.

Use Royalty-Free Images

Images are often copyrighted and require permission if used. When searching for images using Google, click "Tools” and then "Usage Rights" and select "Creative Commons Licenses." There are several other sources where you can find copyright-free images for educational use:

Contact the Library for Articles, Books and Other Media

The UML Library may be able to find or purchase a resource for your course that is not readily available to you. They can then make this available to your students via Course Reserves, LibGuides, Open Access, or the digital media services.

What About Fair Use?

Depending on what you want to share with students, and how much of it, Fair Use might come into play. In the United States, "copyright rights are limited by the doctrine of Fair Use, under which certain uses of copyrighted material for, but not limited to, criticism, commentary, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research may be considered fair."

Just because something is being used for teaching or scholarship does mean it falls into the fair use category. There are four factors that are considered when determining fair use:

  1. the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;
  2. the nature of the copyrighted work;
  3. the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and
  4. the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.

The UML Library's Copyright and Fair Use page has additional information and guidance on this topic.