What is copyright?
The UK Intellectual Property Office's publication 'Copyright essential reading' defines copyright as follows:
"Copyright rewards the making of, and investment in, creative works while also recognising the need for use to be made of those works.”
In the United Kingdom, the main legislation is the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988. This has been amended by subsequent Acts and Statutory Instruments. Updated versions are available in LexisLibrary or Westlaw databases via the library portal.
Further information is available from the government website or the copyright hub
Why should I care about copyright?
We can be audited by the Copyright Licensing Agency and risk losing licences to our materials, as well as reputational damage, if we are found to be in breach of regulations. Please note that universities are liable for copyright infringements.
You will receive an email if materials in breach of copyright regulations are found on your Solent Online Learning units. See the document below for the procedure the library will follow in the event of a breach of copyright laws.
Please note that we will endeavour to help you replace materials with those that are copyright compliant but do check before loading any materials to avoid such actions and inconvenience to your teaching.
Who owns copyright?
Generally the author is the first owner of copyright in a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work (including photographs), software and databases.
For films, the principal director and the film producer are joint authors and the first owners of the copyright.
The copyright in sound recordings, broadcasts and published editions generally belong to the producer, broadcasting organisation or the publisher as well as the author, composer or lyricist.
Authors of articles in academic journals are often obliged to assign copyright and then have no further rights to make copies.
There is no need to register copyright or even use the copyright symbol: © You own the copyright as soon as you create something.
The University encourages the discovery, development and application of Intellectual Property (IP). The creativity and involvement of staff and students are encouraged and supported through the provision of a policy to promote, recognise, evaluate, protect, exploit and reward IP.
The University's Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) policy
If you would like to find out about submitting an application to protect and/or exploit IP at Solent University, please contact the Research and Innovation Office or email intellectual.property@solent.ac.uk.
How long does it last?
The term of copyright varies according to the material but generally it is:
Grant of permission
You may copy materials if you have received the permission of the copyright owner (remember that this may not always be the author of the work), and paid any required fees.
Otherwise you need to rely on the fair dealing provisions – see printed materials.