This document provides an easy to read summary of the terms and conditions set by Canvas.

When you first login to Canvas, start by agreeing to the Terms of Use. It is important to do this before you continue. There is a fair amount of legal wording, so we created this abridged guide to save you time and effort. Basically, these Terms of Use ensure that Instructure (the educational technology company that developed Canvas) and Rice users of Canvas (you) will operate in a mutually agreeable way.

Section 1: Copyright

Instructure has the copy copyright to Canvas. Do not try to reproduce it by hacking the code in any way.

Section 2: Registration

To use Canvas, you have to register with real information. No fake names or numbers.

Section 3: Content

Each user is responsible for what they put on Canvas, not Instructure. Be appropriate.

Section 4: Ownership

By agreeing you are saying that you own the content you are posting. Instructure owns the Learning Management System.

Section 4.5: Feedback

If you give feedback and Instructure uses it to improve or creates a new feature based off of your feedback, you aren’t getting any money or rights to it.

Section 5: Behave

Instructure has the right to look over content and take down things that violate the code of conduct.

Section 6: Responsibility

Each user is responsible for their own actions and interactions on Canvas.

Section 7: Third Party Websites

Instructure is not responsible for content on third party websites or apps.

Section 8: Copyright Infringement

If someone makes a claim against your content, you are responsible, not Instructure.

Section 9: Errors

Instructure isn’t perfect and doesn’t guarantee that there aren’t errors.

Section 10: Liability

Instructure is not liable for any damages you can dream up. The most money you can possibly get from them if they were somehow found liable, is the amount you paid to use Canvas in the previous year. If you haven’t paid anything, the cap is $50.

Section 10.3: Operator Error

Instructure isn’t responsible if users don’t use the tools and settings correctly.

Section 10.4: Third Parties

Everyone is responsible for their own actions, including third party websites. So Instructure isn’t responsible for what you see on third party websites.

Section 11: Copyright

Give credit where credit is due, like when using pictures, words, films, video. If you didn’t create it, give props to whoever did. If anyone has used your content without your permission, Instructure gives you information on what to do.

Section 12: Comply

Follow the rules (be appropriate, observe copyrights) or your account will be closed/deactivated.

Section 13: Communication

Email, messages, and notices from Instructure are official. Any communication with third parties and whatever consequences that communication has, is not Instructure’s issue.

Section 13.4: Unforeseen Situations

Instructure isn’t responsible for service delays/malfunctions during all listed and other unlisted situations.

Section 13.5: Recourse

Email teaching@rice.edu if you feel Canvas has not held up their end of the bargain.

Need something more?

Please note that these Terms of Use are different from the Privacy Policy.

If you need immediate assistance, please feel free to reach out to Learning Environments:

713-348-4357 | teaching@rice.edu | Learning Environments website