Copyright @ Western - Western University
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Copyright @ Western
Copyright @ Western
Copyright applies to nearly every teaching, research, and publication activity at Western. This site provides practical, policy-aligned guidance to help you use copyrighted materials lawfully and confidently. It is written for faculty, instructors, and graduate students who prepare course materials, conduct research, or publish scholarly work.
All information is based on the Copyright Act of Canada, judicial interpretation, and Western University’s copyright policies.
When in doubt, ask. Contact Copyright Services for individualized support.
Choose Your Starting Point
| Audience | Description & Quick Access |
|---|---|
| For Instructors & Course Designers |
Guidance on course packs, readings, and slides. Learn when Fair Dealing applies, what you can share in class, and how to request permissions. |
| For Graduate Students & Researchers |
Guidance on theses, dissertations, and publications. Learn how to include third-party content, manage embargoes, and understand licensing. |
| Tools & Decision Aids |
Fair Dealing Guidance, quick reference checklists, and permission request templates. |
Featured Resources
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| Fair Dealing Guidelines |
How much you can copy or share under Canadian copyright law. |
| AI & Copyright |
Understand authorship, ownership, and data use when using AI tools. |
| Attribution Library |
Standard language for acknowledging creators and citing sources. |
| Request Permission |
Email templates and contact process for obtaining rights. |
Key Principles
- Fair Dealing allows limited copying for research, private study, and education.
- Licensed resources (e.g., library databases, streaming media) include specific terms of use — always check before sharing.
- Attribution is required whenever you reproduce or adapt another person’s work.
- Digital locks (DRM, paywalls) must not be circumvented, even for educational purposes.
- Responsibility for compliance rests with each member of the university community.
Stay Up to Date
Western University updates copyright guidance when laws, licenses, or institutional policies change. Check this site periodically for updates, or contact us directly for training sessions or workshops.