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MOOCs - Massive Open Online Courses: MOOCs and Copyright

This LibGuide provides information relevant to various aspects covering MOOCs. Please also take a look at the LibGuide on Open Educational Resources

Copyright and Licensing of material in this guide

Always check the conditions of use if you are using any material contained in this guide beyond the provisions of fair deailing as outlined in section 12 of the South African Copyright Act No 98 of 1978.

Please check the Creative Commons Licenses for conditions of use or remixing should you be using Open Educational Resources (OER).

Complexities and Challenges regarding Copyright in a MOOC Environment

Andrew Creel's blog entry, MOOCs and Copyright Confusion highlights the challenges now being posed by the newer MOOCs and levels of openness and complex copyright issues that participating institutions and educators need to be aware of.

He further points out that universities need to consider very carefully the legal implications of  an agreement with a MOOC provider and discuss concerns openly before committing. It's going to take time to establish a new framework and maybe new perspectives of digital rights will emerge. The crucial factor is that all parties discuss as openly as possible and try to find answers to all these questions.

For more on this important development please see the following: