Copyright: DVDs/Films/Videos

Playing and performing audiovisual works, educational uses

Audiovisual works may be shown to students on the premise of an educational institution as long as:

• the recording is a legal, commercial copy played for the purpose of education
• the audience is primarily students, and
• no profit is gained.

There is no longer the need to ensure a public performance license is in place. 

Works may be performed live (such as a play) without permission under the above conditions as well.

Under the Copyright Act (30.04), we may copy, communicate or perform a work made available through the internet for educational uses. See Videos from Websites below.  Videos from a subscription service are governed by the terms of that agreement.

Playing audiovisual works, non-educational uses

Currently, UFV only has a license with Criterion for non-educational uses of video for events such as a student entertainment night. Search the following database for films carrying this UFV license:

Criterion on Demand

If a film is not listed in this database, permission will need be acquired for a non-educational (classroom) use.

Film Festivals

As film Festivals are generally organized to invite the general public and the UFV community and often involve off-campus advertising to the general public, you will need to contact the copyright holder and/or distributor of the film(s) for permission. Audio Cine Film and Criterion Pictures represent most of the distributors.  Keep written documentation of any agreements made.

Copying audiovisual works, educational uses

Under Fair Dealing, you may copy up to 10% of an audiovisual work (for example, to stream in your online class). 

Although it is illegal to circumvent a digital lock (aka the "Content Scrambling System" or CSS) in order to copy a short excerpt, it is permissible to copy a short excerpt through using a video recording device (i.e. a camcorder) to record a short excerpt from a computer, TV screen, or projection.  It is also permissible to use screen capture software that enables copying of DVD content after the content has been lawfully decrypted by a licensed computer DVD player.  For further information about using screen capture software to reproduce a short excerpt of a copyright-protected AV work, contact Educational Technology Services.

Streaming an entire work in your online class requires a streaming license.  You can inquire about specific films or make a request through the Library's Course Resources Services Media form:

Under the Copyright Act (30.04), educational institutions are allowed to copy internet content if the following conditions are met:

• There is no clearly visible copyright notice posted that prohibits copying (copyright symbol  © is not considered an explicit notice).
• The content is legitimately posted (you have no reason to believe that it is online without the consent of the copyright owner).
• There is no password protection or other restricted access to the content.
• You cite the source (URL and the author/creator, if available).

Is the video legally posted?

1. Check the Username/Account holder name.  Did the account holder create the content, or is it film, music, etc., from another source?
2. Many content authors have their own YouTube Channels so look for the creator channel to see available content (i.e. CBC Learning).  An alternative is to go to the creator's website and see if you can legally directly stream video content.
3. Take a look at the website's or the content author's channel to see if there is any copyright or "Terms of Use" statements. 
4. Check to see how long the video has been available online.  Often video sharing networks will remove content immediately if it infringes copyright so content you may have used will no longer be there. 

If you are required to seek permission to use the content, please keep a copy of any permissions you receive.

Live streaming

Live streaming of video and audio content from the open web (such as YouTube, and not from a password protected site, or a site to which access is restricted) in a classroom is permissible, provided the content is legitimately posted.

Streamed videos from the Library

UFV has purchased a number of streamed videos with the rights to show in the classroom. These can be searched through the UFV Library Catalogue by entering the title, or by browsing the streaming video collections here.

The licences, however, do not allow for a change in format; so, a streaming video cannot be downloaded and made into a hard copy of any kind.