This summer the Supreme Court of Canada issued five decisions that relate to a range of copyright issues.  On November 7, 2012 many of the provisions of Bill C-11, The Copyright Modernization Act, came into effect. These events introduce changes that are far reaching for educational institutions.

York’s copyright website is in the process of being updated to reflect these developments. Our Fair Dealing Guidelines have been revised as a guide to copying permitted under the Copyright Act. Fair Dealing is an important exception to the right of copyright owners to control the reproduction of their works. This exception attempts to balance the rights of the copyright owner with the needs of others, who require access to copyrighted material to pursue their research and studies.

With the assistance of the AUCC counsel, we will be introducing practical guidance on how to apply these changes to other copying practices at York University. Information sessions will continue to be held over the coming months to assist with this transition. A list of upcoming dates can be found here.

For more information or assistance with your decisions in copying or posting, contact York University’s Copyright Office at copy@yorku.ca.