Most books, articles, reports, video and audio recordings, CDs, software packages, films, images, broadcasts, databases, online services, web sites, newspapers, music, and works of art - to name but a few - that you may want to use for study, research, teaching, exhibition or performance are likely to be subject to a copyright of some kind. Do not believe anyone who tells you that copyright does not apply to the Internet - it does.

In principle the copyright owner's consent is needed to copy, issue to the public, perform, exhibit, play, broadcast, translate, or adapt a work protected by copyright. However certain ‘permitted acts’ confer a statutory entitlement to use of a work in specific circumstances without the need to first obtain explicit consent from the copyright owner. Licensing schemes extend the amount and type of copying that can be done without applying to rights owners.

There is no general exemption from copyright for educational purposes but copyright issues will rarely constrain your personal use of intellectual property. Nevertheless you need to be aware generally of what you can and can’t do. As a member of UEA or a visitor using its facilities you are expected to observe current UK copyright law.

It is particularly important to establish the copyright status of a work if you need to do more than make a single copy of a small part of a work for personal use. General advice on copying is posted close to all reprographic equipment on campus, including fax machines and scanners, and is available in leaflet form in the University Library Photocopying Department. You will also see notices about licensed copying adjacent to photocopiers. University staff are entitled to refuse to make copies or allow University equipment to be used for copying if they have reason to believe that such action would lead to an infringement of copyright. Staff making copies on someone else’s behalf are also entitled to ask for written confirmation that any copyright issues have been resolved.

Make it easier for yourself by

• planning ahead
• being aware of copyright restrictions on the type of material you want to copy
• having alternative strategies
• asking for help when in doubt.

Further help and information is available from the University’s copyright co-ordinator.