An introduction to copyright
When copyright rules are unclear, it can be difficult to know whether you can use a resource in teaching, share work with students or publish your own research. Our online course turns copyright principles into practical guidance, helping you make informed decisions and use materials legally.
What you will learn
Know what copyright actually protects
Learn why copyright exists, what it covers and how it differs from other intellectual property rights. Recognising when copyright applies is the first step to deciding how a resource can be used or shared.
Understand ownership and permissions
Explore authorship, ownership, how long rights last, and the economic, moral and related rights that affect reuse to understand the permissions that may be needed.
Apply copyright rules to real scenarios
Explore case studies across education, libraries, archives and creative industries. See how infringement, exceptions and education licences apply in different scenarios, helping you make informed decisions about using materials.
Why take this copyright course?
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Using content in teaching
Understand when permission is needed and when your institution may face secondary infringement liability.
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Supporting students and colleagues
Build the knowledge to answer common copyright questions and help others make compliant choices.
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Research and copyright
Understand how copyright applies to your work and which rights to consider before submitting it for publication.
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Keep a reference for future questions
The downloadable summaries and cheat sheets are yours to keep, giving you practical guidance to revisit when copyright questions arise.
Free copyright checklist
Need a quick reference? Our free copyright checklist helps you check whether you're using teaching materials legally and highlights the key questions to consider before sharing or using content in education.
Download the checklist
Preview the course for free
Get a feel for the course by exploring selected lessons for free. See whether the content and approach are right for you before deciding to enrol.