Certificate Program
Certificate in Licensing Digital Content
Learn to interpret, negotiate, and manage digital content licences with confidence and practical expertise.
65 Lessons
3 Core eTutorials
4 months access
Certificate Program
Fall 2026 Cohort is Now Open for pre-registration
Access begins September 1 • Registration closes October 31 • Limited to 20 participants
Develop Your Digital Licensing Expertise
This program is designed for those new to copyright or looking to strengthen their existing knowledge. You’ll build a solid understanding of Canadian and international copyright law with a focus on practical skills you can apply immediately within your organization.
Benefits
- Practical skills you can immediately apply in your library or organization
- Practical skills you can immediately apply in your library or organization
- Personal guidance through Zoom sessions and a 24/7 discussion forum
- Greater confidence interpreting, negotiating, and managing digital licences
What's Included
Everything you need to successfully complete the Certificate in Licensing Digital Content.
- Three eTutorials covering every stage of digital licensing
- 30 eLessons with practical, real-world examples
- Four months of access to all course materials
- Zoom virtual classroom meetings with the instructor
- 24/7 online discussion forum for questions and collaboration
- Practical tools and resources for negotiating and managing licences
- Downloadable reference materials for future use
- Certificate in Licensing Digital Content upon successful completion
- Public listing of certificate holders on Copyrightlaws.com
- Flexible, self-paced learning designed to fit your schedule
Course Descriptions
The Certificate in Licensing Digital Content includes three eTutorials on digital licensing that address the know-how and skills you need to understand, interpret, negotiate and manage licensing agreements tailored to your library or organization’s specific needs.
Course #1: Introduction to Digital Licensing
A good license agreement can make it easy to access, use and share licensed digital content. Learn essential steps toward the best licenses for your library or organization, the relationship between copyright and licenses, licensing language and debunking licensing myths.
Syllabus: Introduction to Digital Licensing
Introduction to Digital Licensing includes 10 e-lessons addressing the following topics:
- Why Understanding Licensing Is Essential
- Key Licensing Concepts
- Copyright, Contracts and Licensing Agreements
- Global Licensing Issues
- Why Each License is Unique
- Essential Steps Toward Your License Arrangement
- Components of a Licensing Policy
- Ensuring Others Legally Use Content Under Your Licenses
- Debunking Licensing Misconceptions
- Digital Licensing Questions and Answers
Course #2: Digital Licensing Terms and Conditions
This course delves into commonly found license terms and conditions, also called clauses, and when to use them in your licenses. Think of this course as a checklist for clauses to include in or omit from your license agreements. It’s essential for those who interpret or negotiate license agreements.
Syllabus: Digital Licensing Terms and Conditions
There are 11 e-lessons in Digital Licensing Terms and Conditions on the following topics:
- Definitional Clauses
- Rights Granted
- Sublicenses, Interlibrary Loan and Fair Use
- Usage and Usage Restrictions
- License Fees and Pricing Models
- Licensor Obligations
- Licensee Obligations
- Authorized Users, Territory and Ownership of Content
- Termination, Warranties and Indemnities
- Boilerplate Clauses, Part I
- Boilerplate Clauses, Part II and Best Practices
Course #3: Negotiating and Managing Digital Licenses
This course examines the art of negotiation for license agreements. It provides you with practical tips and strategies so your licenses reflect the terms and conditions your library or organization needs. It further helps you to effectively manage multiple digital licenses.
Syllabus: Negotiating and Managing Digital Licenses
The nine e-lessons in Negotiating and Managing Digital Licenses cover the following topics:
- The Meaning of Negotiation
- A Mindful Approach to Negotiation
- Preparing for Negotiations
- During the Negotiations
- License Format and Administration
- Future-Looking Licenses
- Managing Your Licenses
- Negotiating and Managing Licenses Q&A
Best Practices for Negotiating and Managing Digital Licenses
Who Should Enroll?
This certificate is ideal for:
- Library professionals licensing digital content and electronic resources, including databases, journals, and periodicals.
- Employees of nonprofit and for-profit organizations responsible for acquiring or managing licensed digital content.
- Content owners, publishers, aggregators, and other organizations that create or distribute digital resources.
What You'll learn
Build practical licensing skills with expert guidance, flexible learning, and real-world resources.
Understand Digital Licensing Principles
Develop a practical understanding of digital content licensing and how copyright and contracts work together.
Interpret License Agreements
Learn to confidently review license terms, identify key provisions, and recognize your organization’s unique needs.
Negotiate Better License Agreements
Build the skills to negotiate terms that protect your organization while supporting access to digital content.
Manage Digital Licences Effectively
Develop practical strategies for organizing, maintaining, and administering multiple digital licences.
Educate and Support End Users
Gain the confidence to help others understand how licensed digital content can be used legally and responsibly.
Reduce Licensing Risks
Apply practical knowledge to lower the risk of licence violations and make informed licensing decisions.
Explore the Full Course Curriculum
Want to see exactly what's covered in the Certificate in Licensing Digital Content?
The Certificate in Licensing Digital Content consists of three comprehensive eTutorials designed to help you understand, interpret, negotiate, and manage digital content licences with confidence.
Visit the course page in Thinkific to explore the complete curriculum, including detailed lesson topics, learning objectives, and an overview of each eTutorial. Because the curriculum is maintained directly in Thinkific, you’ll always be viewing the most current version.