Streaming Resources for Courses

For more information about copyright, please see the Copyright: Introduction to Copyright guide.

There are copyright concerns in placing films or music into D2L. The best way to acess this material is through a subscription service via the library. However, we cannot provide access to everything faculty need due to cost concerns. As you identify material from other sources, please keep the following in mind.

According to the TEACH Act, faculty teaching online courses may only display "reasonable and limited portions" of dramatic works without permission. That is, use only the portions that are necessary to make a point. (Faculty in face to face classrooms may use the following works in their entirety). Examples:

• dramatic works
• audio/visual works
• musicals
• operas
• commercial films
• music videos

This is why it is preferable that faculty only post “reasonable and limited portions” of films. That being said, if there are entire films that are an integral part of your course there are ways to make them available to students. 

The restrictions on the use of copyrighted material require us to:

• limit access of copyrighted works to students currently enrolled in the class
• limit access only for the time needed to complete the class session or course assignment
• inform instructors, students, and staff of copyright laws and policies
• prevent further copying or redistribution of copyrighted works
• not interfere with copy protection mechanisms

All such content must have a notice along the lines of this example:

The materials on this course site are subject to all applicable copyright laws. Materials are only for the use of students currently enrolled in this course and may not be copied, retained, or disseminated to others. 

All media content should be posted and made available to students for the shortest amount of time possible. If you need three films but discuss one per week, then only one should be available at a time.