Copyright
1 What about Copyright?
Copyright is a type of personal property right that is founded on a person's creative work. It is designed to prevent the unauthorised use by others of a creative work. The Copyright Act 1968 gives exclusive rights to copyright owners (such as authors or publishers) as to how their material may be used. These rights include the right to copy, publish, broadcast and publicly perform the copyright material.
2 What is covered by the Copyright Act?
The Copyright Act protects original literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works: Literary works - include letters, articles, novels, poetry, song lyrics, timetables, databases and computer programs. Single words, slogans or titles are not usually protected as literary works. Artistic works - include paintings, photographs, sculptures, engravings, sketches, blueprints, drawings, plans, maps and buildings or models of buildings, Subject-matter other than works - include sound recordings, films (which include videos), radio and television broadcasts and published editions of works.
3 How much can I copy?
What amounts to a fair dealing is a matter to be determined on the facts of each case. In the case of copying for the purposes of research or study, the Copyright Act specifically provides that it is fair dealing to make a single copy of a journal article, or one chapter, or 10% of a book of ten or more pages (whichever is greater). This is known as the reasonable portion test. Further information can be found via the library.
