The Copyright Decision Map utilizes concepts from UNB’s Copyright Policy and Fair Dealing Guidelines to navigate the rights and expectations when copying existing works. The Map is interactive. Begin by identifying the format of the work then select the publication type to reveal specific copyright information. The map includes examples of how to use and provide access to a variety of content.
What is the format of the work?
Use the license manager tool, select 
, to find the terms of use for our eBook Collections. Keep in mind that license agreements vary across our collections. Learn more about using eBooks in the classroom
Examples of how to use these works:
- display a copy in a classroom presentation
- share durable link via Desire2Learn
- share durable link via Course Reserves
- publish excerpts in a journal, book, or post on a website, blog, or social media obtain permission from rights owner
Use the license manager tool, select , to find the terms of use for our e-Journals. Keep in mind that license agreements vary across our collections.
Examples of how to use these works:
- display a copy in a classroom presentation
- share durable link via Desire2Learn
- share durable link via Course Reserves
- publish excerpts in a journal, book, or post on a website, blog, or social media obtain permission from rights owner
Many publications available on the web are copyright-protected and require permission to share or distribute. Check the “terms of use” or “permissions” for all publications or contact copyright@unb.ca. Open Access publications offer users less access restrictions to copyrighted content. Check the “terms of use” or “permissions” for each resource. Also, there are many materials on the web under open licenses. For instance, Creative Commons Licenses are popular tools among creators that spell out the terms of use for their works. Check if a given work has a CC license.
Most images found on the web are copyright-protected and must be used in accordance with license terms, unless they explicitly indicate otherwise. Check the “terms of use” for all images. The Fine Arts Guide lists resources ideal for classroom use.
Here is also a guide for sourcing images with less copyright restrictions—images with open licenses or in the public domain.
Less copyright restrictions makes these images ideal for use outside of the classroom, such as your own publications and conference presentations.
Examples of how to use these works:
- display a copy in a classroom presentation
- share link via Desire2Learn (UNB Libraries’ licensed resources or open licenses)
- share link via Course Reserves (UNB Libraries’ licensed resources or open licenses)
- publish excerpts in a journal, book, or post on a website, blog, or social media check license or terms of use
- adapt and change the work before sharing it See this workflow for creating transformative media projects
Audiovisual works sourced from the web for classroom use are subject to copyright protection similar to other electronic materials. Always check the “terms of use” or any copyright notices that accompany the work. Here are resources for locating films and music licensed for use by the UNB community and ideal for classroom use:
When using audiovisual works from your personal collection or personal subscriptions, you must ensure that you are using a lawfully-made copy from a work that you have purchased and, in the case of streamed content, such as Netflix or Spotify, you are not infringing the terms of your user agreement. In contrast to institutional licenses, personal subscriptions typically prohibit public dissemination of content.
When playing films or music as part of a public screening or in a non-educational context, such as background music, you must obtain public performance rights.
Examples of how to use these works:
- play the work in the classroom (UNB Libraries’ licensed resources or personal copy)
- share link via Desire2Learn (UNB Libraries’ licensed resources)
- share link via Course Reserves (UNB Libraries’ licensed resources)
- play the work as part of a public screening obtain public performance rights
- adapt and change the work before sharing it See this workflow for creating transformative media projects
Book chapters sourced from UNB Libraries’ or your own print collections can be used in the classroom based on fair dealing and educational exceptions. You can copy, display, and share up to 10% of a book.
When using books from your personal collection, you must ensure that you are utilizing a lawfully made copy made from a work that you have purchased.
Examples of how to use these works:
- display a copy in a classroom presentation
- share short excerpt via Desire2Learn
- share short excerpt via Course Reserves
- share more than 10% of a book obtain permission from rights owner
- publish excerpts in a journal, book, or post on a website, blog, or social media obtain permission from rights owner
Journal articles sourced from UNB Libraries’ or your own print collections can be used in the classroom based on fair dealing and educational exceptions. You can copy, display, and share an entire journal article from an individual journal issue.
When using journal articles from your personal collection, you must ensure that you are utilizing a lawfully made copy made from a work that you have purchased.
Examples of how to use these works:
- display a copy in a classroom presentation
- share short excerpt via Desire2Learn
- share short excerpt via Course Reserves
- share more than a single article from a journal issues obtain permission from rights owner
- publish excerpts in a journal, book, or post on a website, blog, or social media obtain permission from rights owner
Materials from UNB Libraries’ Microforms Collection are governed by a variety of regulations and copyright agreements. For more details about specific materials and their permitted uses contact mic@unb.ca
Examples of how to use these works:
- display a copy in a classroom presentation check permitted uses
- distribute copies to my students check permitted uses
- share via Desire2Learn check permitted uses
- share via Course Reserves check permitted uses
- publish in a journal, book, or post on a website, blog, or social media obtain permission from rights owner
Workbooks or business case studies are considered consumables and may not be reproduced under any circumstance without the copyright owner's permission.
Materials from UNB Libraries’ Archives & Special Collections are governed by a variety of regulations and copyright agreements. For more details about specific materials and their permitted uses contact Archives.
Examples of how to use these works:
- display a copy in a classroom presentation check permitted uses
- distribute copies to my students check permitted uses
- share via Desire2Learn check permitted uses
- share via Course Reserves check permitted uses
- publish in a journal, book, or post on a website, blog, or social media obtain permission from rights owner
Images sourced from UNB Libraries’ or your own print collections can be used in the classroom based on fair dealing and educational exceptions. You can copy, display, and share up to 10% of all images from a given work.
Copying stand-alone print images, such as maps or charts, that are not part of a larger publication, may require copyright permission, unless they are in the public domain or there are no other alternatives (such as images licensed for use by the UNB community).
When using print images from your personal collection, you must ensure that you are utilizing a lawfully made copy made from a work that you have purchased.
Examples of how to use these works:
- display a copy in a classroom presentation
- share short excerpt via Desire2Learn
- share short excerpt via Course Reserves
- share more than 10% of all images from a given work obtain permission from rights owner
- publish excerpts in a journal, book, or post on a website, blog, or social media obtain permission from rights owner
- adapt and change the work before sharing it See this workflow for creating transformative media projects
Audiovisual works from UNB Libraries’ CIRCAV collections can be used in the classroom based on fair dealing and educational exceptions. You can play an entire audiovisual work in class and share short clips (under 10% of the work) with your students.
When using audiovisual works from your personal collection, you must ensure that you are utilizing a lawfully made copy made from a work that you have purchased.
Examples of how to use these works:
- play the work in the classroom
- share short clips via Desire2Learn
- share short clips via Course Reserves
- play the work as part of a public screening obtain public performance rights
- adapt and change the work before sharing it See this workflow for creating transformative media projects
The Map is intended to be a guide for commonly asked questions; it is important to remember that various factors must be considered when deciding how much and when you can copy others’ works. The Map should not be considered legal advice and you are encouraged to contact the UNB Libraries’ Copyright Office if the Map and associated webpages do not address your particular question.