Useful links

The following copyright information has been developed by the National and State Libraries of Australasia (NSLA) as an information guide for library users about copyright in library collections. 

This information on copyright does not constitute legal advice. Rather it is intended to provide information and guidance on copyright and copying material in library collections. The client shall indemnify the Northern Territory Library against any action taken by the copyright owner(s) against Northern Territory Library arising in any way whatsoever from the publication of or use of materials by or on behalf of the client where the client has not sought copyright clearance.

Law

 

You can view the current version of the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth) on the Federal Register of Legislation website. The current version of the Copyright Act includes all changes made by amending legislation, such as the Copyright Amendment (Moral Rights) Act 2000, the Copyright Amendment (Digital Agenda) Act 2000, the relevant parts of the US Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act 2004, the Copyright Amendment Act 2006 and the Copyright Amendment (Disability Access and Other Measures) Act 2017.

 

For an overview of the Copyright Act see Copyright Basics from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications .

 

The Australian Copyright Council has an excellent website that provides a range of information sheets. Topics include:

  • Fair dealing — includes advice on exceptions which allow copying, under certain conditions, for research, study, criticism, review, parody, satire, reporting news or legal advice.
  • Research or study — gives advice on the exception which allows copying, under certain conditions, for research or study, including the ‘10%’ rule and what is considered ‘fair’.
  • Quotes and extracts: copyright obligations — provides advice on using quotes and extracts for purposes ranging from research or study to publication.
  • Duration of Copyright.
  • Artists — includes a list of formats which fall within the Copyright Act’s ‘artistic works’ category.

Collecting societies and other ways to find copyright owners