Session 18

Copyright Basics: Pay Now or Pay Later

Session Description:

The penalty for copyright infringement in Canada could include a million dollar fine and up to five years in jail. If you didn’t create a literary or artistic work, someone else did. And if someone else created it, you’ll likely require their permission to use it. Reduce the risk of legal action by learning more about your legal obligations, key differences between Canadian and American copyright law, identifying permission needs, capturing works from the web, licensing agreements, adaptations and public domain.

Presenters: Leslie Peppler, Copyright Coordinator, Alberta Education – Learning Technologies Branch and Hal Welke, Copyright Officer, Alberta Education – Learning Technologies Branch

Leslie Peppler
Leslie oversees all copyright management issues relating to the development of print and digital distance learning resources created by or for Alberta Education, including learning objects destined for the LearnAlberta.ca web site. Integral to production teams in Edmonton and Barrhead, Leslie develops and implements copyright/IP and digital rights management policy and procedure, works closely with vendors to ensure their clearance procedures meet ministry needs, customizes licensing agreements used with vendors and educational jurisdictions around the world and handles all incoming permission requests.

Leslie frequently provides consulting services and copyright management training for other Ministry branches, government departments and Alberta school jurisdictions.

An award-winning journalist, editor and journalism instructor in a past life, Leslie now devotes her after-work hours to family, freelance writing and raising alpacas.

Hal Welke
“It doesn’t matter how nice you are, if you steal my truck, I’m coming after you.”

Hal’s forthright, and sometimes humourous, approach to handling copyright issues leaves little room for gray areas. Using his extensive experience as an ISO 9000 Quality Systems Lead Auditor, Hal has been instrumental in developing a copyright management system that leaves a paper trail a blind man could follow. His background in telecommunications has given him an edge in dealing with digital rights and educational technology while his sales experience translates into getting the “best bang for our buck” when it comes to negotiating terms and price on permissions and licensing agreements.
Hal’s expertise in creating and documenting policy and procedure, and in strategic planning and statistical analysis has closed the gaps in many Branch processes.
Away from the office, Hal has taught photographic techniques, sales, advanced sales and employee empowerment continuing education courses at N.A.I.T. He is a contract hot air balloon pilot and flight instructor and before each day ends, finds time to manage his alpaca farming operation.