OPSBA staff play a critical role in advocating formally on behalf of all school boards in Ontario on the cost of copyright for use of learning materials in all schools. OPSBA works directly with the Council of Ministers of Education of Canada on this issue and is an official objector on behalf of all boards in the ongoing negotiations regarding costs for copyright per student payable by all boards.
Our effective actions to date have resulted in savings of millions of dollars for Ontario’s school boards.
Latest Updates
October 2022: Updated Posters and Copyright Matters! Materials for School Boards
Fair Dealing Poster, Council of Ministers of Education, Canada
Revised fifth edition of “Copyright Matters!”
October 25, 2016: CMEC offers Copyright Decision Tool for Teachers
The Copyright Decision Tool helps teachers decide whether they can use print materials, artistic works or audiovisual materials without getting copyright permission. Thinking of using a copyright-protected work? Find out if you have permission.
March 1, 2016: CMEC Copyright Consortium Reaction to Copyright Board’s Decision on K-12 Tariff Rates
The Copyright Consortium of the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC), was disappointed with some aspects of the Copyright Board of Canada’s decision on Feb.19, 2016, setting the K-12 Elementary and Secondary School Tariffs for 2010-15. With its decision, the Copyright Board has set a tariff rate of $2.46 per student per year to copy print materials such as books, magazines, and newspapers for 2010-12, and $2.41 for 2013-15.
The consortium is composed of the ministers of education of the provinces and territories, with the exception of Quebec.
The announced tariff rates are lower than the per-student rates requested by Access Copyright of $15.00 for the years 2010-12 and $9.50 for the years 2013-15. However, the consortium had sought a lower rate. For more information about cases and tariffs, visit the Copyright Board of Canada website.
March 20, 2014: Copyright Advisory on Reproducibles
Sept. 20, 2013: Introduction to Copyright Resources for Principals and Teachers
Additional Resources
PPM 157: Use of Copy-Protected Works for Education
Ministry Memo: Use of Copy-Protected Works for Education: PPM 157