Protecting Intellectual Property Rights in the Context of Electronic Learning in Educational Institutions

Abstract

In providing Electronic learning (hereinafter “E-learning”), educational institutions often deal with Intellectual Property Rights (hereinafter “ipr”) regulations, particularly copyright. The interaction between the E-learning and the ipr occurs in one of three possible scenarios: 1. The case where the educational institution owns an E-learning system. This takes place either when the institution develops the system internally, or by purchasing or licensing the ipr of an already developed system. 2. Educational institutions legitimately use protected works for educational purposes, such as illustration, criticism or analysis and are thus not required to obtain permission from the developers for such purposes, as per the laws and regulations of ipr. 3. Educational institutions infringe ipr by copying or using protected systems and making them available to students despite the first and second options. This paper attempts to clarify the differences between these three methods and enlighten those involved in the management of educational institutions about what is lawful and what is not, when developing or using E-learning systems.