A note which considers the extent to which educational establishments are able, under English law, to use and share copyright works with students through virtual learning environments (VLEs) without infringing copyright. This issue was brought to particular prominence due to the unprecedented lockdown brought about in response to the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which has accelerated the trend towards providing educational services via VLEs. In 2024 this trend continues across secondary, further, and higher educational institutions in England and Wales.