Fair dealing at Canadian universities

February 28, 2024

News

Fair dealing is an integral aspect of the Supreme Court’s Copyright Act and to the Canadian educational system. This Fair Dealing Week we are shedding light on what fair dealing means and why it’s important in Canadian education. 

What is fair dealing and copyright 

Fair dealing is an important feature of copyright law and a right all Canadians have. Fair dealing allows you to share small portions of larger works, under certain circumstances, without contacting copyright owners and negotiating payment. 

Why is fair dealing important in education? 

Universities are home to copyright owners, creators, buyers, sellers and users. They also invest heavily in paid content for academic purposes and take copyright law very seriously. Universities often employ on-campus copyright officers and staff educated in compliance. 

Fair dealing is a balanced approach to copyright which allows access to research and information needed to: 

• expose students to a diversity of materials and sources to challenge their assumptions; 
• allow researchers to explore and build upon the newest evidence; and 
• enable innovators to transform ideas into new products and services. 

Without fair dealing, students, researchers and educators would face a lack of access to new, quality material which would only enhance their work.

Fair dealing works!

Write to your MP

Lean more about fair dealing 

• Fair Dealing Works 
• Creative economies in transition: Maintaining balance at a time of digital disruption (December 18, 2018) 
• The changing landscape of Canadian copyright and universities (June 26, 2018) 

About Universities Canada
Universities Canada is the voice of Canada’s universities at home and abroad, advancing higher education, research and innovation for the benefit of all Canadians.

Media contact:

Lisa Wallace
Assistant Director, Communications
Universities Canada
[email protected]