The Opening Up Copyright (OUC) module series is made available by the University of Alberta Copyright Office. To learn more about the series, see our module OUC: An Introduction.
Opening Up Copyright’s Goals
- Broadening access to copyright information;
- Advancing the values associated with openness and open content;
- Reaching multiple audiences and avoiding duplication in resource development; and
- Producing open educational resources (OER) about copyright that can serve as an enabler for other open education projects.
OUC Instructional Module Characteristics
- The modules have five levels of instruction, from basic to advanced, to meet the needs of a wide variety of learners. The module levels, indicated by colour, are grouped according the these categories:
- Level 1: Introduction to the series (red)
Overview of how the series is structured. - Level 2: Introductory copyright concepts (orange)
Introduction to key elements of copyright law. - Level 3: Issues (yellow)
A more in-depth view of some of the elements of copyright law. - Level 4: Scenarios (green)
A look at some of the problems users might face in navigating specific areas of copyright law. - Level 5: Legislation and Jurisprudence (blue)
A closer look at specific sections of the Copyright Act and specific legal decisions.
- Level 1: Introduction to the series (red)
- The modules are open to instructors and staff across campus, Canada, and around the globe.
- The modules are openly licensed under a CC BY license.
- The modules are interactive, featuring popups, links and test questions through use of H5P.
- The components that make up the modules include video, transcript, PowerPoint slides, and H5P.
- The files needed to reproduce and edit, modify, or adapt the modules are available for download from the Module Materials Collection in ERA.
- Release of new modules: The series publicly launched in March 2018 with the first two modules, and new modules continue to be added as they are produced.
- Updates to existing modules: Each module is reviewed, and updated as needed, approximately every two years.
How to Navigate the Series
The modules are grouped according to five levels of instruction, however they don’t have to be viewed in any particular order. That being said, starting with general knowledge modules and moving to the more specific is generally a good approach. Here are some examples of how one might approach the series in different contexts:
- Exploring topics of interest
To learn more about fair dealing – you might start with the module that introduces the concept of Applying Fair Dealing (Scenarios); move on to the Copyright Act provision, Section 29: Fair Dealing (Legislation); and continue with the modules on related court cases such as CCH v. LSUC and Access Copyright v. York (Jurisprudence).
- Topics relevant to a field of study or occupation
- For Graduate students – start with Including Third-Party Content in Your Work (Issues) and Publishing Agreements (Scenarios), as both are relevant to thesis preparation.
- For Art students – start with Images and Moral Rights (Issues) to help you learn about your rights as a creator of copyright-protected works.
- For Library users and staff – start with Photocopying in the Library, Licensed Library Resources and Interlibrary Loan and Controlled Digital Lending (Scenarios); move on to CCH v. LSUC (Jurisprudence) which is the case that informed the guidance provided in the Photocopying in the Library module.
Module Update Process
A module review and update cycle has been established whereby each module will be reviewed, and updated as required, approximately every two years. These updates will incorporate any changes and create linkages with other modules developed in the series.
Acknowledgment
OUC modules have been produced with the assistance of funding at the University of Alberta through its Centre for Teaching and Learning’s Teaching and Learning Enhancement Fund (TLEF)(2017-21), with in‑kind contributions from the University of Alberta Copyright Office and School of Library and Information Studies.
Additional grants funded the production of the following modules:
Centre for Teaching and Learning’s OER Grant Program (2020)
- Collective Licensing Agencies and the Copyright Board
- Educational Institutions’ Policies and Practices
- Copyright Act, Sections 29.4 – 30.03: Educational Institution Exceptions
- Alberta (Education) v. Access Copyright
Support for the Advancement of Scholarship (SAS) grant (2021)
- Copyright in the K-12 Context
- Creating and Sharing Copyright-Protected Materials in the K-12 Context
For a more general overview of copyright issues relevant to university employees in Canada, see the Copyright Open Educational Resource for University Instructors and Staff created by the Canadian Association of Research Libraries.