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The Library: Copyright

Welcome

The Copyright Advice Service, based in Library and Student Services, offers guidance for staff and students who wish to use copyright protected works.

Copyright in 3 minutes: A guide for students

What is copyright?

Copyright protects original literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works, as well as layouts of published works, computer programs and databases, sound recordings, film and broadcast.

Copyright does not protect ideas; it protects the expression of ideas and arises automatically once they are fixed in a permanent form.

The creator or copyright holder of a work has the exclusive right to:

  • copy the work
  • issue copies of the work to the public
  • perform, show or play the work to the public
  • communicate the work to the public (via broadcast or electronic transmission)
  • make an adaptation of the work

Except under certain circumstances, you should only copy or use a work protected by copyright with the copyright holder’s permission.

Access the guidelines below for more detailed information:

Please note

Although the guidance provided does not represent legal advice, it is based on the most current information available.

Staff requiring guidance in relation to teaching and University licence agreements should refer to MyBeckett Staff Guides.