How much can I copy?

The list below details the amounts that can be copied and/or communicated under the University's educational licence (i.e. for teaching and administrative purposes). Exceeding these limits or not complying with use conditions is a breach of the Copyright Act, and the copies are illegal. 

Types of written material

Reproduction

  • One article from each issue, or more if the subject matter is closely related.
  • Note that the reproduction and distribution of material from Library databases may be subject to separate licence conditions. Contact the Copyright Office for more information.

Communication online (placing on websites)

Reproduction

  • In a work greater than ten pages, one chapter or 10% of pages, whichever is the greater (10% of words if electronic source except a computer program or an electronic compilation).
  • This amount can be reproduced per lecturer or student per year.
  • More than a reasonable portion - if work is out of print, or not available within a reasonable time at an ordinary commercial price (the availability test).

Example

A 60-page book may be divided into six chapters. You may copy one whole or part of a single chapter, even though the number of pages copied exceeds 10% of the total pages in the book, or you may copy six (6) pages (10% of total) from throughout the book.

Communication online (placing on websites)

Reproduction

  • A work of less than 15 pages contained in an anthology (hard copy source).
  • For works in electronic form, all of a work that has not been separately published or 10% of the number of words in a work that has been separately published.
  • More than 10% subject to the availability test

Communication online (placing on websites)

Reproduction

  • A reasonable portion - in a work greater than ten pages, one chapter or 10% of pages (10% of words if electronic source except a computer program or an electronic compilation) - whichever is the greater.
  • This amount can be reproduced per lecturer or student per year.
  • More than a reasonable portion - if work is out of print, or not available within a reasonable time at an ordinary commercial price (the availability test)

Communication online (placing on websites)

  • Amount as for reproduction
  • Must contain the 113P Copyright warning notice
  • Must be registered with myReadings
  • Access must be restricted to staff and students
  • Must be referenced
  • Only one part of a work may be made available online at one time university-wide, regardless of intended audience.

Reproduction

  • If a retailer or publisher confirms in writing that a work is out of print, or that an electronic copy is not available, then you may reproduce and communicate more than a reasonable portion (including the whole item). Keep a record of enquiries.
  • See the availability test

Communication online (placing on websites)

Types of audio and visual material

Reproduction

  • All of a work that has not been separately published.
  • All of an artwork that accompanies or explains the text being copied.
  • All of an artwork if copied from an electronic source.

Example:

A diagram in a book that has not been published, for example as a postcard or a poster, can be reproduced in full.

A photo that is included in a page of text being copied can be reproduced without having to investigate whether separately published.

An artwork copied from an electronic source, e.g. a website, can be reproduced without having to investigate whether separately published.

Communication online (placing on websites):

Please refer to the Tertiary Music Agreement for sheet music.

See also:

  • Sound recordings

Commercially produced sound recordings may be used in classroom settings, provided the audience is restricted to bona fide students and staff, as these are not considered to be public performances. They cannot be copied under this licence.

Reproduction

  • Sound recordings reproduced from TV or Radio under licence may be reproduced without size limitations
  • Digital copies must contain an AV Warning Notice
  • Analog copies must be labelled in accordance with licence conditions

Communication online (placing on websites)

  • Broadcasts reproduced under the Screenrights licence can be communicated
  • Must contain AV Warning Notice
  • Access must be restricted to staff and students
  • Must be referenced
  • Embedding via ClickView complies with the licence

Reproduction

  • Copies of any items television broadcast on all free-to-air (ABC, SBS, commercial stations), satellite, microwave pay (e.g. Austar) and cable pay television (Foxtel and Optus Vision) may be reproduced without size limitations.
  • Analog copies or their containers must be marked in accordance with licence conditions.
  • Digital copies must contain the AV Warning Notice

Communication online (placing on websites)

See also Using DVDs, YouTube and videos in your teaching

Items not covered by the educational licence

Items that are able to be copied under statutory licence are restricted to specific categories and limitations, see How much can I copy?

Amounts that fall outside the reproduction and communication conditions of the statutory licence will generally require permission from copyright owners.

Uses, other than educational use, may also require explicit permission from copyright owners, which require consideration of a number of issues.

Fair dealing is generally associated with personal use, for example use for research and study or for criticism and review. Please check with the Copyright Officer if you are unsure.

Digital reproductions in the following categories do not have to be registered:

Please notify myReadings staff of material for which you have explicit and separate approval from owners. Although the material does not come under statutory licensing rules, details are required for record keeping purposes.