Copyright guide: introduction

All users of the University Library must comply with UK Copyright law and the terms and conditions of any licences held by the University of Sheffield.

Copyright is a legal property right; it exists to control the reproduction of intellectual property expressed in a physical form. Ideas in themselves are not covered by copyright, though patent and designs law may protect them. Copyright subsists in:

Literary, artistic, dramatic, and musical works
Sound recordings, films, broadcasts or cable programmes
Typographical arrangements of published editions
Software (computer programmes) and databases may be protected as literary works, in addition to other possible rights

Copyright protection is automatic (no registration is required) and it applies to all physical formats, including the Internet.

Responsibility for infringement of copyright rests with the person making the copy, not with the providers of the equipment. Buying or owning the original or a copy of a copyright work does not give permission to use it as you might wish.

Copyright is a complex area and this short guide only covers the basic essentials. Links are provided to additional sources of information where appropriate.

Additional information:

Further advice is available from:

Clare Scott, Copyright Officer, Tel: (0114) 222-7284

Lyn Parker, Copyright Compliance Officer, Tel: (0114) 222-7363