Can I copy graphics for a school, TAFE or university project?

15/06/2008

Yes if your copying is fair having regard to the 5 factors listed on the Using copyright material for research & study webpage.

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Can I copy material from the internet for a school, TAFE or university project or assignment?

15/06/2008

Generally, material can be copied from the internet into an assignment or essay in the same way (and subject to the same “fairness” requirement) as you could copy material from a book.

 

Note however that, while under copyright law you might be able to copy something into your project, this does not mean that you can pretend that what you have copied is your own work. You must always attribute it as being another person’s work and you must credit the author. Plagiarism (copying other people’s work and pretending it’s yours) is a serious matter that is usually dealt with very severely by educational institutions.

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I would like to submit my thesis to an academic journal for publication. Do I need copyright clearances?

15/06/2008

The special research exception will not apply, as the publication is not part of your research.

 

You do not need a clearance for anything:

 

  • in which copyright has expired (material in the public domain)

  • that is less than a "substantial part"

  • used for criticism or review, provided the use is fair.

 

In other cases, you may need a clearance.

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How much can I copy from a newspaper?

15/06/2008

Provided you are copying for research or study, you can copy a whole article from a newspaper or magazine, and you can copy other articles from the same edition of the newspaper or magazine if you need them for the same research or course of study. You may also be able to copy a photograph from a newspaper or magazine if it is not separately available for purchase. Copying all or most of the newspaper or magazine is unlikely to be fair if it is available for purchase.

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If a book is no longer published, can I copy the whole book for my research?

15/06/2008

Generally, yes. However, if you are aware that it is about to be republished within a reasonable time, it is unlikely you can copy the whole book.

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Can I copy material from the internet for research?

15/06/2008

You should first check the website for any statements about copyright which apply to the material you want to copy – the copyright owner may expressly allow you to print and/or download material, possibly under stated conditions. Otherwise, you may print and/or save material to disk if:

 

  • it is for your research or study; and

  • the copying is fair.

 

The special research exception is unlikely to apply if you supplying copies (e.g. by email) to people unconnected with your research or study.

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