Online Copyright
Reviewed: January 2008
This page has been kept for reference.
It will no longer be updated by ICVET.
The development of the internet and other digital technologies have created a number of new copyright challenges. It’s important for teachers working in the contemporary classroom to have a basic understanding of copyright laws.
The Australian Copyright Council defines the purpose of copyright as: '(encouragement) of people to use their skill, time and resources to create material which is of cultural and economic benefit to society. It does this by giving the copyright owner legal rights to control others’ use of that material and earn income from the skill and effort which went into creating the material.' Information Sheet G50. Copyright & computer software. Australian Copyright Council. February 2000.
The Copyright Amendment (Digital Agenda) Act 2000 took effect on 4 March 2001 and can be downloaded.
Links to a variety of sources on copyright in general, digital copyright in particular and specific areas of interest such as the VET sector, are included below:
Websites
Copyright Kitchen
The Copyright Kitchen is a resource for those working in vocational education and training (VET) who deal with copyright issues in their day-to-day work. It breaks up copyright information into categories built around who you are, where you work and the task at hand.
Australian Copyright Council
Provides advice on copyright and copyright law. The website includes a number of information sheets such as ‘Copyright and computer software’.
Copyright Aware
Specifically for teachers, this site provides information about copyright law and responsible information use.
Intellectual Property
Copyright information from the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts.
The Digital Dilemma: Intellectual Property in the Information Age
This is the online edition of the book published by the National Academy of Sciences in the US. It explores intellectual property in the digital age - in particular what happens to copyright issues when innumerable numbers of people can download a book or song from one copy on the web.
Cut and Paste Can be Sticky
Let’s be honest, all of us have resorted to a bit of ‘cut and paste’ when putting together our online stuff. Perhaps we figure that in amongst all the gigabytes of information out there, our little transgression will escape unnoticed. Well - perhaps not! In this article, Michael Overing of Online Journalism Review warns of how close to the copyright line our cut and pasting might actually be.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Protocols for Libraries, Archives and Information Services
Protocols intended to guide libraries, archives and information services on handling materials with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander content as well as on how to interact with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the communities they serve. These protocols are a guide to good practice only – they need to be interpreted and applied in the context of each organisation's mission, collection and client community.
Plagiarism
A compilation of links dealing with the subject of plagiarism in education. Includes articles such as ‘E-Cheating - Combating a 21st Century Challenge’ and the gem - ‘ British Student Says University was Negligent for Not Stopping His Plagiarism.’
AEShareNet
The AEShareNet Licensing System connects people who are looking for learning materials with those who own them. There are two options available: Instant Licences, which are freely available, when you attach a relevant Mark; and Mediated licences, which are transacted online through the AEShareNet System.
EFF: Legal Guide for Bloggers
FAQs about legal issues that can affect bloggers. Focused on US law, this site is nonetheless an interesting read for any concerned blogger. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is dedicated to ensuring that the internet remains a space for free speech.