Copyright owners generally have the right to authorise
or prohibit any of the following in relation to
their works:
- copying
the work in any way, including typing or scanning into a computer or storing works in
an electronic format (e.g. on a hard drive);
- issuing
copies of the work to the public;
- renting
or lending copies of the work to the public (except for lending under the Public Lending
Right Scheme, such as public library loans);
- performing,
showing or playing the work in public. For example, performing plays and music;
playing sound recordings; showing films or videos; and replaying broadcasts in public;
- broadcasting
the work or other communication to the public by electronic transmission. This
includes putting copyright material on the Internet; and
- making
an adaptation of the work, such as by translating a literary or dramatic work,
transcribing a musical work and converting a computer program into a different computer
language or code.
Anyone doing any of the above, whether intentionally or
not, without the permission or license of
the copyright owner is infringing copyright. However, note that:
- Infringement
can occur only if the whole or a substantial part of the work is involved.
‘Substantial’ is undefined, although case law suggests that content (e.g. key phrases,
concluding remarks or headlines) in many cases is as significant as extent; and
- You
will not be able to prosecute successfully if the unauthorised act falls within one of the
copyright exceptions. See Copyright exceptions.
