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Copyright: FAQs: Copyright and Remote Teaching

Copley Library is committed to helping the USD community understand and use copyright regulations in their scholarship and teaching. In this guide, you'll find resources on fair use, copyright for authors, information on using images and media, and more.

Copyright and Remote Teaching FAQs

Q: How can I get streaming access to all the films I need for my remote classes?

A: Send requests for streaming films to your Liaison Librarian being sure to note the course name, number, and date needed by. If this is a request to have streaming access to a film added to course reserves, submit your request to reserves@sandiego.edu. We will make every effort to find streaming options for all films requested. In some cases, such as for films only accessible through personal streaming vendors like Amazon Prime, Hulu, Netflix, and Google Play, you may need to work with your liaison librarian to find suitable alternatives, or ask students to pay for their own access. Many vendors offer features such as “Netflix-Party” that make it easier for an entire class to watch their content together as long as each viewer has an account. 

Q: How can I show a DVD to my remote class?

A: Send requests for streaming access to Copley-owned DVDs to your Liaison Librarian being sure to note the title of the DVD and the course name, number, and date needed by. If this is a request to have streaming access to a DVD added to course reserves, submit your request to reserves@sandiego.edu. We will make every effort to find streaming options for all DVDs requested. 

Q: Can you copy all of this print book for electronic access by my students working remotely?

A: We will make every effort to acquire electronic access to all course materials needed for your courses. In some cases, electronic access is not available. When we cannot provide electronic access to a book you need, you may request that our electronic reserves staff secure copyright permission to scan and post multiple chapters from the print version of a given book for access via electronic reserves. You can contact our reserves staff via email at reserves@sandiego.edu.

Q: Does Copley Library offer electronic access to textbooks? 

A: Copley Library does not collect textbooks as a matter of policy. In most cases, when the text students need is a textbook, they will need to work with the bookstore or a vendor such as Amazon to get access to that material. Instructors should follow-up with their Liaison Librarian for assistance identifying alternatives when needed.

Q: Can I share this PDF article from a Copley database with my class?

A: From a copyright perspective, linking to content is always preferred whenever possible, including for content you find on the open web. All Copley databases offer sharing functions to generate a persistent link (sometimes called stable URLs) to any articles found in our databases that you may wish to share with students. If you have questions about generating persistent links from any Copley databases, contact your Liaison Librarian. Two examples to note are EBSCO hosted databases and JSTOR. All Copley databases hosted by EBSCO offer a paperclip icon next to each article. Click the paperclip icon to generate a persistent link. Likewise, articles found in JSTOR have a “stable url” included with each citation.

Q: Can I share this image or video in my presentation?

A: For more information on locating images and video that are free to use in the classroom visit Copley Library’s Copyright Guide

Q: Can I play this film to an audience as part of an event I am planning on campus?

A: In most cases, you will need to secure public performance rights to screen a film to any audience other than your students, in a classroom setting. For more on securing public performance rights, visit Copley Library’s Copyright Guide

Additional questions and concerns may be sent to copyright@sandiego.edu.