Copyright is an intellectual property that protects original creative works. The owner has exclusive rights that cover reproduction, publication, dissemination or performance of the work. Copyright is applicable to literary works, dramatic works, musical works, artistic works, film, sound and broadcasts. Copyright is an economic right and a moral right and is applied to a 'work' generated using skill and creativity.
Copyright is granted automatically to anything that is written, published, recorded, produced or performed in any form for a specified time period. Copyright covers both printed and electronic material but does not protect ideas or designs for a new creation or product. These can be protected by Patents or Design Rights.
Copyright is a territorial right and different rules are applicable to different countries. The Berne Convention may protect your copyright through international agreements. In the UK copyright law is defined by the Copyright, Designs & Patents Act 1988. There have been many amendments made since, with significant and positive changes introduced in 2014.
If you are not able to find the information you are looking for on this guide or have any questions regarding copyright, please get in touch. If you find yourself in a copyright dispute you should seek legal advice.
Please use this guide to inform yourself about how to legally re-use the work of others, protect your own original work and discover how licenses work. This resource covers basic copyright topics and provides links to authoritative copyright resources.
The guide is intended to empower students, teachers, researchers and administrators to comply with copyright law and the terms of the various licenses that the university has agreed with rights owners or their representatives. As a member of the University you are reminded of your obligation to observe the law relating to copyright and you are encouraged to use the lawful exceptions applicable to the education sector. Where you undertake activity under the auspices of third-party licenses of which Swansea University is the licensee, the terms of these licenses will be made available to you, and you will be responsible for adhering to them.
Think about how you intend to use copyright works in your assignments, your research, your publications, your everyday life. You should respect copyright works whilst balancing your creative use of content to build upon shared knowledge. Infringing activity taking place at the University could lead to legal action and there are reputation and financial risks associated with this.