A Simple Guide to Copyright Compliance
Whilst copyright protects the rights of copyright owners, it also seeks to promote the free flow and exchange of information by providing a number of ways that third party copyright material (i.e. material created by another person) may be reproduced or communicated. If you are a student or a member of staff of the University of Melbourne then you may reproduce or communicate copyright material if:
- You own the copyright for the work.
- The University of Melbourne owns the copyright and you wish to use the material for University of Melbourne teaching or business purposes. If you wish to use the material for non-University purposes, see Requesting Permission to use University of Melbourne Copyright Material.
- Copyright in the work has expired.
- You are copying or communicating an insubstantial portion.
- You have an express licence to use the work, e.g. a contract, web site conditions, copyright owner has explicitly waived copyright, etc.
- You have permission from the copyright owner for the use you plan to make.
- Your proposed use is a fair dealing and you observe the limits and rules under the fair dealing provisions. Students and researchers, in particular, rely on fair dealing for most of their needs.
- You are reproducing the material that you own for your personal use and you observe the limits and rules under the personal use provisions.
- You are reproducing material in an accessible format to assist a student with a print or intellectual disability.
- Your proposed use fits the definition of a "certain special puposes" under s200AB, as advised the Copyright Office. For more information contact the Copyright Office.
- You are copying recorded music for educational purposes or performing music for educational purposes or at a University event as covered by the Music Licence.
- Your use is for the educational purposes of the University as described in the Statutory Licence provisions. University staff rely on the Statutory Licence provisions to reproduce or communicate teaching material. However, you must observe the prescribed limits and procedures as summarized here:
| Digital (electronic) | Hardcopy | Audio-visual - Broadcasts |
Limited amount - 10% or 1 chapter whichever is greatest or 1 article from a journal issue or newspaper issue (more if the articles are on the same topic). More detail. Limited access - only available to enrolled students via restricted site/email. Material is registered - any material communicated online must be registered. Material is registered for 12 months after which time is should either be taken down or reregistered. More detail. Material must be attributed - all material must include a proper & accurate citation. Copyright warning notice must be displayed as or before the electronic file is opened. More detail. Material from library databases can only be linked to using OpenURL not downloaded. |
Limited amount - 10% or 1 chapter whichever is greatest or 1 article from a journal or newspaper issue (more if the articles are on the same topic). More detail. Material must be attributed - all material must include a proper & accurate citation. Course packs - if material is used in a course pack it is marked as required. More detail. Multiple Copying - can make as many copies as required. Material from library databases can only be linked to using OpenURL not printed for course packs or handouts. |
Limited access - only available to enrolled students via restricted site/email. Material must be attributed and comply with the marking requirements. More detail. Copyright warning notice must be displayed on any broadcasts communicated online. More detail. |
| Detailed A-V Guidelines | ||
Readings Online is a service for academic staff that will provide electronic versions of materials that are prescribed on readings lists for students, so that material can be made available online via an LMS. Readings Online will also manage the copyright requirements on behalf of academics.
Further Information
- Overview of Copyright
- Fast-Find Index - an A-Z glossary of copyright terms and topics
- Guidelines for Using Copyright Material for Educational Purposes
- Introduction to Copyright -a guide from the Copyright Office (b&w version for printing)
- Online Teaching Resources & Copyright - a guide from the Copyright Office ( b&w version for printing)
- Creating a Course Pack - a cheat sheet (b&w version for printing)
- Copyright: A User's Guide by Trevor Gerdsen. An online version of this text is also available.
- Contact the University Copyright Office