Research Support

Understanding copyright and permissions is essential for sharing research responsibly and ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards. This page provides guidance on copyright compliance, fair dealing, licensing, and special considerations when using or creating AI-generated content.

Copyright Compliance

As a researcher or HDR candidate, it’s important to be aware of copyright rules that apply to using, creating, and sharing academic work. Copyright law protects original works, such as articles, images, datasets, and software, from unauthorised use.

• Your Responsibilities: If you wish to use someone else’s work in your research, including text, images, graphs, or tables, you must obtain permission or verify that the use falls under fair dealing exceptions.
• Fair Dealing for Research and Study: In Australia, “fair dealing” allows students and researchers to use limited portions of copyrighted material for personal research or study. Fair dealing typically covers:
  • One article from a periodical publication (e.g., a journal issue).
  • Multiple articles from a single issue if they cover the same topic.
  • Up to 10% or one chapter of a book (whichever is greater), or 10% of the words in an electronic work.

For more detailed guidance on fair dealing and how to use copyright-protected material in your research, please see the Avondale copyright website or contact the library.

Licenses at Avondale

Avondale University subscribes to several licenses that allow limited copying and use of copyrighted material for educational purposes. Understanding these licenses can help you use resources responsibly and within the terms of Avondale’s agreements.

• Text and Graphic Material (Copyright Agency): Allows limited copying of text and graphic works (e.g., journal articles, book chapters) for educational use. Copies must include a copyright warning and are restricted to Avondale staff and students.
• TV and Radio Broadcasts (Screenrights): Allows copying of broadcast TV and radio programs in Australia for educational purposes, covering free-to-air and Foxtel broadcasts but excluding on-demand services like Netflix or Amazon Prime.
• Music (APRA AMCOS): Permits copying, storing, and public performance of music for educational and campus-related events, provided use remains within the university’s license terms.

For more details on how these licenses apply to your work, please speak to a librarian.

Creative Commons Licensing

Creative Commons (CC) licenses provide a way to openly share your work while retaining control over how others use it. By choosing a Creative Commons license, you can make your research freely accessible while specifying terms for its reuse.

• Choosing a License: Creative Commons offers various license types, ranging from the most open (CC BY) to more restrictive options (e.g., CC BY-NC-ND, which prohibits commercial use and modifications). The library can help you select the best license based on your goals for sharing your work.
• Benefits of Open Licensing: By licensing your work openly, you can increase its visibility and impact, encourage collaboration, and contribute to a culture of open scholarship.

To learn more about Creative Commons licenses or to discuss which license is right for your work, please visit the Creative Commons Resources or book a consultation with a librarian

Copyright and AI

The use of AI in research and content creation raises unique copyright considerations, as AI-generated content may not be automatically protected by copyright under Australian law.

• Ownership of AI-Generated Content: In Australia, copyright is granted only to human creators. Therefore, content generated by AI tools, such as text, images, or data, is typically not protected by copyright. If you create content using AI, you may need to demonstrate “independent intellectual effort” to claim ownership of the work.
• Using AI Responsibly: When using AI tools, ensure that any copyrighted material inputted into or generated by the AI complies with copyright laws. Always check if the tool you’re using has specific guidelines for copyright compliance and attribution.

If you have questions about copyright issues related to AI or need guidance on responsible use of AI-generated content, please contact the library.

For further assistance on any aspect of copyright and permissions, including fair dealing, Creative Commons licenses, or managing permissions for third-party content, please reach out to the library team. We’re here to help you navigate copyright complexities and make informed choices about sharing your work.