For lending institutions, "The Rule of Five" and "The Rule of Two" are interpretations of section 108 Copyright Act of 1976, 1981 rev.: Limitations on exclusive rights: Reproduction by libraries and archives.
"The Rule of Five" is understood to mean that during a single calendar year a maximum of five articles published within the past five years from any single journal may be requested via Interlibrary Loan. This guideline applies to the entire institution.
"The Rule of Two" is understood to mean that during a single calendar year an individual patron may request only one article per issue from any single journal.