The Internet has proven to be indispensable: it鈥檚 an unlimited source of information and content of all kinds. We all know how it feels to find an article, photo, video, illustration or audio recording that鈥檚 so on-point that you want to include it in your own website, add it to a work presentation or even share it on social media.
But are you allowed to?
You may be surprised to learn that content available online is protected by copyright and you have to get permission before using it.
What if you work in an educational institution? Follow the steps in our decision tree to check whether you can use the content in your classroom.
If you don鈥檛 work in the education sector, please read on to find out more!
Are you covered by a licence?
If your organization has a licence from a copyright collective such as Copibec, you鈥檙e allowed to use certain content available online. Make sure you comply with your licence鈥檚 relevant terms of use.
What if you鈥檙e covered directly by a Copibec licence? Then you can use content from the websites of newspapers and magazines. Please refer to your licence and the Copibec repertoire for details on what鈥檚 included under the licence.
Check the website鈥檚 terms of use
This is the first step if the content you want to use isn鈥檛 covered by a licence from a copyright collective. The site鈥檚 terms and conditions usually explain the rules for any content you鈥檇 like to reproduce or use. To find the appropriate section, look for headings referring to 鈥渃opyright鈥 or 鈥渟haring content鈥, for example.
That鈥檚 also where you鈥檒l find an email address to request permission for uses not covered in the general terms.
Contact the site administrator
If the terms of use don鈥檛 grant permission to reproduce or use the site鈥檚 content, that doesn鈥檛 mean you鈥檙e free to go ahead as you please. There鈥檚 still a step you have to do!
You鈥檒l need to find a way to contact the site administrator, preferably in writing. By keeping a record of your communications, you鈥檒l be protecting yourself as well as the copyright owner.
In your email, give a detailed description of how you want to use the content. You can use the content only after the copyright owner has given you a green light and you鈥檝e paid any applicable royalties.
If the administrator鈥檚 contact information doesn鈥檛 appear in the terms and conditions, look in other sections such as 鈥渃ontact us鈥 or 鈥渉ow to reach us鈥.
In the end, if you鈥檙e unable to get in touch with the administrator, you鈥檒l have to give up on the idea of using that content.
Have you put your own content online? Here are some tips on how to protect it.