Online teaching and copyright from the European Union perspective in COVID times

Teaching may involve the use of copyrighted works. It is very important that teachers and professors know two things: (1) what kind of contents they can use in their classes; (2) what are the necessary requirements for using them to avoid infringements of copyright. In this time of pandemic, where online teaching is a big focus in universities, high schools and schools, this knowledge is essential because, despite the alarm generated by COVID-19, copyright is still fully in force. However, copyright is not absolute, as the legislator has provided some limitations or exceptions to these rights. In these cases, it is not necessary to request the consent of the authors and other copyright holders, but the works and subject matters can be used provided that certain requirements are met. In the field of education and teaching, three limitations are applied in particular: (a) private copying; (b) quotation; (c) illustration for teaching.