Can we copy book covers to put into PowerPoint presentations for class?

24.4.2009

You will usually be able to get or create images of book covers to use in PowerPoint presentations.

In some cases, there might be nothing on the cover that’s protected by copyright – for example, it’s a plain cover with the title in an ordinary typescript. In these cases, you can scan the cover without any copyright implications.

Alternatively, in cases where there is material on the cover protected by copyright, you will be able to rely on the Part VB provisions in the Copyright Act. If the publisher hasn’t made a suitable digital version of the cover available as a separate publication, you can scan the cover. Check first, however, on the publisher’s website, for example – there may be suitable images of the cover that you can download to use in the PowerPoint (again, you can do this under Part VB in the Act).

If you rely on Part VB to scan book covers or to download an image from a website, remember to include the “electronic use notice” with the scan.

How many times can an educational institution rely on the Part VB provisions (administered by CAL) to reproduce 10% from the same book? Can we, for example, copy 10% one week and another 10% another week?

02.04.2009

The general understanding is that, where a work is commercially available, no one student should receive more than one “reasonable portion” (usually 10% or 1 chapter) in any one course or subject.

In other words, where a work is commercially available, you can’t avoid the “reasonable portion” limit by giving students one amount one week, an additional amount the next week, and more the week after that.

Can we photocopy book covers to promote new books in our school library?

4.6.2008

You will usually be able to photocopy book covers to promote books in a school library.

In some cases, there might be nothing on the cover that’s protected by copyright – for example, it’s a plain cover with the title in an ordinary typescript. In these cases, you can photocopy the cover without any copyright issues arising.

In cases where there is material on the cover protected by copyright, a library within a school or within some other type of educational institution will be able to rely on the Part VB provisions in the Copyright Act because it’s unlikely that the publisher will have made the cover (as an artistic work in its own right) available as a separate publication.

Alternatively, you could consider contacting the publisher or local distributor of the books – they may have copies of publicity posters they are willing to give you. In many cases, these may be better at promoting books than matt-paper photocopies.