A Short Course in Copyright for NWACC Faculty

Need to check copyright status, identify the rights holder, or verify if a work is in the public domain? These tools can help. They’re especially useful for faculty uploading materials to Canvas or preparing coursepacks.

💡 Tip: Combine these tools with our Fair Use Checklist or request help from the Library to interpret your results.

💡 Tip: Not sure if your use is covered by law? Look it up in the original statute first!

💡 Example: Trying to decide if you can use a chapter in Canvas? These tools can help you walk through the four factors and document your rationale.

💬 Not sure where to start?

You’re not alone! Copyright can be confusing, and every case is a little different. Whether you’re preparing materials for Canvas, planning a lecture, or sharing course content online, don’t guess—ask.

NWACC Library staff can help with fair use evaluations, linking to licensed content, or locating public domain alternatives.

💡 Tip: If you have recurring materials or plan to use the same content across terms, it’s especially helpful to loop us in early.