Copyright & Intellectual Property Policy

Purpose

To outline Cambridge Public Library’s role and position related to applicable Canadian Copyright and Intellectual Property legislation.

Definitions

Copyright is a legal means of protecting an author/creator’s work.

Intellectual Property refers to the ownership of intangible and non-physical goods.

Fair Dealing is a user’s right in Canadian copyright law permitting use of a copyright-protected work without permission or payment of royalties for the purposes of research, private study, education, satire, parody, criticism, review, or news reporting, provided that what you do with the work is “fair.”

Moral Rights refer to an author’s right to be identified as the creator of a work, to the integrity of the work, and to control the association of the work with a product, service, cause, or institution. These rights remain with the creator even if copyright is transferred.

Policy

Cambridge Public Library seeks to advocate for, inform, and support the intellectual property rights of creator as outlined within Canadian legislation while balancing the social benefit and educational value of fair dealing.

Cambridge Public Library respects the copyright, patent rights, trademark rights, and moral rights of authors and intellectual property rights holders and seeks to educate Cambridge Public Library members about these rights with regard to the library’s physical and digital collections.

The majority of the materials in the Cambridge Public Library collection are subject to copyright. It is not the role of library staff to interpret the Copyright Act for members. Responsibility regarding copyright arising from the use and/or copying is the responsibility of the member making the copy, whether the member uses their own or the library’s equipment.

The intellectual property laws of Canada govern the making of reproductions and/or use of some materials. Certain copying may be an infringement of copyright law. Cambridge Public Library is not responsible for infringing copies made by users of Cambridge Public Library’s copying equipment and Makerspaces. It is the user’s obligation and responsibility to determine and satisfy copyright or other use restrictions (such as patent, industrial design, or trademark legislation) when using Cambridge Public Library’s collections, equipment, and software.

Fair Dealing

Fair dealing is a long-standing feature of Canadian copyright law that permits certain uses of copyright material in ways that do not unduly harm the interests of copyright owners, but which provide significant social benefits. In Canada, fair dealing does not infringe copyright and is limited to the purposes of research, private study, education, parody, satire, criticism, review, or news reporting.

Cambridge Public Library staff and members may make copies for specific purposes under the fair dealing provision of the Copyright Act. Any concerns of the legitimacy of staff copying for these purposes will be referred to Cambridge Public Library’s Chief Executive Officer or delegate.

Cambridge Public Library’s copying services, whether the copy is made by staff or a member, are provided without a motive of financial gain. Any fee charged is intended only to recover a portion of the library’s costs.

Cambridge Public Library pays for a Public Libraries Licence from Access Copyright to ensure that original creators and publishers are proportionally compensated for copying done on the library’s photocopying machines.

Library-Specific Exceptions Under the Copyright Act

In addition to fair dealing, the Copyright Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-42) provides certain exceptions that apply specifically to libraries, archives, and museums, including:

  • The right to reproduce materials for preservation or replacement (s.30.1).
  • The right to make and distribute copies for interlibrary loan (s.30.2, s.30.4).
  • The right to reproduce materials for cataloguing, management, and backup purposes.

These rights are exercised by Cambridge Public Library in accordance with the Act and applicable licences.

Digital Collections and Licensed Resources

Many of Cambridge Public Library’s digital collections (including eBooks, databases, and streaming media) are governed by licence agreements. These agreements may restrict how materials can be copied, shared, or used.

In the event of a conflict between copyright law and licence terms, the terms of the licence agreement will prevail. Cambridge Public Library members are responsible for respecting the conditions of use for each licensed digital resource.

Public Performance & Program Use

The public performance of films, music, or broadcasts during library programs requires appropriate licences. Examples include SOCAN, Re:Sound, Audio Cine Films, and Criterion Pictures.

Fair dealing does not extend to public screenings or performances. Staff planning programs involving copyrighted audiovisual works must ensure that appropriate rights or licences are secured.

Makerspace Creations & User-Generated Content

Cambridge Public Library supports creativity and innovation through the use of Makerspaces and related equipment. Works created by members in Makerspaces remain the intellectual property of the creator.

Cambridge Public Library makes no claim to ownership of user-created works. However, members are responsible for ensuring that their creations do not infringe on the intellectual property rights of others. This includes avoiding the unauthorized reproduction of trademarks, copyrighted characters, or patented designs.

Indigenous Knowledge & Traditional Cultural Expressions

Cambridge Public Library acknowledges that Indigenous knowledge, stories, and cultural expressions may not be fully protected under current Canadian copyright law.

Cambridge Public Library is committed to respecting Indigenous protocols and community expectations regarding the stewardship, sharing, and reproduction of Indigenous cultural materials. Where possible, the library will consult with Indigenous communities regarding the appropriate use of these materials.

Privacy & Copyright Responsibility

Cambridge Public Library values the intellectual freedom and privacy of its members. Library staff do not monitor or police user activity for copyright compliance. Responsibility for determining and respecting copyright and intellectual property laws rests with the member.

Staff may provide general information about copyright but are not in a position to offer legal advice or interpret the law for individual cases.

Copyright Duration

In Canada, copyright protection generally lasts for the life of the creator plus seventy (70) years following their death, after which works typically enter the public domain.

Works in the public domain may be freely used, subject to the creator’s moral rights, which continue to exist even after copyright expires.

Library-Owned Content

Cambridge Public Library retains copyright for content created by the library, such as program materials, publications, photographs, video, and other original media. This material may be used for purposes permitted under the Copyright Act, including fair dealing for research, private study, education, or classroom use. The library requests attribution in the personal and scholarly use of the material. A credit line, “Courtesy of Cambridge Public Library,” should be provided if material reproduced from the Cambridge Public Library collection is published for commercial or non-commercial purposes in print, online, or in other media.

Images on the Art Galleries portion of the Cambridge Public Library website are subject to copyright. Reproduction is prohibited without prior written permission from the Cambridge Public Library and the artists.

Permissions Process

For reproducing, publishing, or otherwise using materials owned by Cambridge Public Library, members must seek prior written permission. Requests should be directed to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or their designated delegate. Each request will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and conditions of use will be communicated to the requester in writing.

Related Documents

Related Policies

Last Reviewed: November 2025 (Board Motion 25.48)

Adopted: September 25, 2019 (Board Motion 19.51)