The Technology, Education, and Copyright Harmonization (TEACH) Act (2002) expands the criteria for use of copyrighted materials in online and distance education settings by accredited, non-profit educational institutions that meet the TEACH Act's qualifications. The TEACH Act is not just for online faculty or students, but applies to any transmission of materials in an online setting, including materials in Canvas for on campus students. The text of the TEACH Act can be found in Public Law 107-273 (116 Stat. 1757-1922) (Excerpt of law where Subtitle C appears, starts p. 154). It also appears in section 110(2) of Copyright Act.
Also see, Copyright Best Practices for Course Management Systems (Copyright Clearance Center)
There are 7 qualifications to use materials in Distance Education settings:
The TEACH Act does not extend to:
The TEACH Act does not supersede Fair Use, but is used in conjunction with Fair Use, which is also part of copyright law.
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted materials.
Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the reproduction is not to be used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research. If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that use may be liable for copyright infringement.
This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.