Copyright and the Library Collection

How can schools manage the copyright status of content being loaded into the learning
management system (LMS)?

Schools are permitted to create, store, communicate and use mulitple copies of literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works for the purpose of education in the school setting (smartcopying, 2022, para. 1). They are covered for this use under the Statutory Text and Artistic Works Licence, which ensures that artists, writers, composers, etc. are paid for the educational use of their products. This copyright use is paid for by the Department of Education.

Under this licence, TLs are able to manage the resources in their library collection more effectively, as they are able to make, store, and communicate copies of resources for teacher and student educational use. However, this licence does not permit the copying of computer programs, audio and/or visual material, or text based resources for non-educational purposes. This has implications when one considers the storing of films as a resource in the collection, particularly given the temptation to “reward” students with a film viewing session otherwise unrelated to course content for good behaviour etc. Resources thus need to be managed in light of this copyright law, and the TL should work to ensure all staff and students accessing the collection are aware of this law. Materials added to the LMS should only be included if they are for educational purposes if the TL believes copyright could potentially be breached with the addition of the resource, and a note in the description about the parameters of the resource’s usage for educational purposes, to be reviewed on a regular basis, could help manage the content in the LMS.

Reference List

Smartcopying. (2022). Education Licences: The Statutory Text and Artistic Works Licence. Smartcopying. https://smartcopying.edu.au/guidelines/education-licences/the-statutory-text-and-artistic-works-licence/

Copyright exceptions exist to cover the educational usage of material available on the internet that is not typically cocvered by a statutory licence. There are for exceptions included in this list:

1. Fair Dealing

Teachers and students may copy information for their own research or study.

2. Disability Exceptions

Students viewing and/or using material that may involve copying resources not owned by the teacher is granted if they were copied to provide students with a disability greater access to information and therefore learning.

3. Exam Copying

Teachers may copy and distribute materials for assessible online and hardcopy exams. They may not copy and distribute materials for non-assessible examinations or tests (e.g. practice exams)

4. Flexible Dealing

Permits the use of internet materials for educational purposes not otherwise covered by the Statutiry Text and Artistic Works Licence or other copyright exceptions. This includes:

Uploading/installling freely avaiable apps for edicational purposes

Copying podcasts for students

Making copy of a Vimeo video for student use.

Reference:

Smartcopying. (2022). Internet and Websites. Smartcopying. https://smartcopying.edu.au/guidelines/internet-and-websites/

Tag: copyright