Ask Us! National University Library

For additional information, please see the Library's Copyright Guide.

Q: Can I include a web video in a presentation?

A: If the video is available on a web site that clearly shows ownership of copyright, or permission to distribute, then yes, you may LINK to the video in the presentation. However, you may not EMBED the web video in the presentation. If the video is only available on a web site that does not clearly show any copyright ownership or distribution permissions then you may wish to consider an alternative copyright compliant source. You may also contact the Library for assistance on determining whether or not the hosting web site has permissions to show/distribute the video.

Q: Can I link to an article that is freely available on the web?

A: If the article is available on a web site that clearly shows ownership of copyright, or permission to distribute, then yes, you may LINK to the article in the presentation. However, you may not download and EMBED the article file in the presentation. If the article is only available on a web site that does not clearly show any copyright ownership or distribution permissions then you may wish to consider an alternative copyright compliant source. You may also contact the Library for assistance on determining whether or not the hosting web site has permissions to distribute the article.

Q: Can I scan pages from a print book chapter or an article and include them as a file in a presentation?

A: No. You may LINK to an article/book on the web if it is available on a site that clearly shows ownership of copyright, or permission to distribute the article. You may also link to the article/book if it is in a library database, but you cannot scan the article or book chapter and include it as a file in the presentation.

Q: Can I download and include an article in a presentation if I am the author?

A: If you are not the copyright holder for the article then please contact the publisher and request permissions to use your article in an educational setting. Generally, the copyright for a published article belongs to the publisher, not the author. You may also try and locate that article in the library databases and you can LINK to that article in the presentation. If you are sure that you own the copyright for your article then you may include it as a file in the presentation.

Q: Can I download and include an article accessed from the Library in the presentation?

A: No. You can LINK to an article from the Library, but you cannot download and include it as a file.

Q: Can I include web links in the presentation?

A: Yes, as long as those links do not lead to a password protected site or to a site that does not clearly state copyright compliance.

Q: Can I scan an image to be included in a presentation?

A: No. Images fall under the same copyright laws as articles or books. You can LINK to an image on a copyright compliant web site or in the Library, but scanning an image and including it as a file would violate copyright laws.

Q: Can I create my own image to be included in the presentation?

A: Yes, if you are creating your own image from scratch, or with resources that are not protected by copyright, then you may include the image in the syllabus. Microsoft Clipart pictures are a good source of non-copyright images.

Q: How do I obtain copyright permission for a resource?

A: You will need to find the copyright holder’s contact information – remember, the copyright holder is not necessarily the author, it could be the publisher, distributor, estate, etc. The copyright holder may require you to pay a fee to use/reproduce the work, or the holder may simply require that you ask permission before you use/reproduce the work. You should include the written letter of permission to use the work in your final product (Appendix or other suitable area).

Q: If I wish to include images, figures, and/or tables from another source in my dissertation do I need copyright permissions?

A: Yes. You should obtain permissions for any images, figures, and/or tables appearing in another source. Dissertations are published by ProQuest and sold for commercial purposes. Personal and Fair Use in the case of the dissertation does not apply. 

We recommend viewing the Copyright and Permissions tutorials and guides from Academic Writer (click on the image below to view). These resources explain the difference between citation and permissions, and they identify when it is necessary to obtain copyright permissions. 

Q: Can I download and print information appearing on the university Website?

A: Yes. Information appearing on the university website is copyright protected, all rights reserved. You can save a local copy or print materials appearing on the site for personal or educational purposes only. Commercial use of materials appearing on the site is prohibited and requires written consent by the Office of the Provost.