There is no general “just in case” provision that allows an educational institution to make a backup copy of a CD that comes with a textbook. Such items should be viewed in the same way as tables and chairs – if something is lost or breaks, you buy another one.

There are, however, provisions in the Copyright Act for libraries under which, if something that has been in the collection is lost, stolen or damaged and is no longer commercially available, replacement copies may be made. If you are worried you may not be able to buy a replacement copy of the item if something happens to the one you’ve bought, buy two copies to begin with and put the second copy away safely.