I am a teacher
This guide is intended to provide a brief introduction and answer frequently asked questions. It does not seek to be exhaustive and definitely cannot be taken as legal advice.
If you need legal support, we recommend that you contact colleagues at the HKBU Knowledge Transfer Office as they work with solicitors and legal advisers on a daily basis and can offer in-depth consultations and professional advice.
Q1 | What is a course pack and how can I order one?
A course pack is a compilation of four or more photocopied extracts from copyright works and is intended to facilitate student learning of a course. Since 2004 and for every two years, HKBU signs a license agreement with the Hong Kong Reprographic Rights Licensing Society (HKRRLS) for the production of course pack materials. These course packs can be both print or digital copies for uploading to the HKBU Moodle.
The School of Continuing Education, in collaboration with the Library, is responsible for the administration of course pack production under this license agreement.
To order a course pack, contact the School of Continuing Education at 3411 1919.
Procedure for course pack production | Effective 1 Jan 2022
List of excluded license materials | Effective 1 Jan, 2019
Q2 | What if I want to include copyright materials in my online teaching?
You may upload a reasonable portion of copyrighted works (including but not limited to multimedia items) to the University intranet for the purpose of giving or receiving instruction, provided that:
All fair dealing criteria are met (see Q1 on Fair Dealing & CC License)
Security measures (e.g. requiring login with username and password) are adopted
Access is restricted to users enrolled in a specified course of study
The copyright works are hosted on the University intranet for a period not exceeding twelve consecutive months
Q3 | What about photocopying teaching materials for my students?
If you are making copies for instructional purposes, regardless of whether the source is print or online materials, the copying should be of a limited amount and must fulfill all fair dealing criteria (see Q1 on Fair Dealing & CC License) under the Copyright Ordinance. Take for example, a student copying a whole textbook or a large portion of it to avoid buying is not fair dealing because the amount of copying is significant and the market value for the book will be adversely affected.
It is also important that you properly acknowledge the title and authorship of the work.
Source | Hong Kong's Amended Copyright Law: A Guide for Teachers and Students
Q4 | What do I need to be aware of when playing sound or video recordings in class or on campus?
As a teacher, including short clips of sound or video recordings (e.g. a film) in your teaching is permitted provided that you acknowledge the title of the film, the producer and the principal director. You must also meet all the fair dealing criteria (see Q1 on Fair Dealing & CC License).
However, the audience must consist wholly or mainly of teachers, students, parents or guardians of the students and those directly related to the activities. An activity which is open to all friends and relatives of the students or to the general public is not permitted and an appropriate license is required for such a public performance.
The basic rationale behind is that the playing must be of a fair dealing - playing a DVD of a currently shown movie in class for students’ entertainment after an exam is not for education and thus not permitted.
Source | FAQs on Copyright and Education – Revised in July 2023 (Specific for education ; Chinese version only) | Performing, Playing or Showing Copyright Works in Public (Public screening in general ; English version only)
