Would you like to scan, photocopy or download library items but you are worried about
copyright violation?
Please, consult this quick guide, which explains the main categories of works currently protected in the UK, and the limits of photocopying, scanning or downloading.
The main categories of works covered by copyright:
- Original literary works such as novels or poems, journal articles, letters, tables, lists and webpages
- Typographical arrangements (i.e. the layout or actual appearance) of published editions
- Original dramatic works such as opera, musical theatre dance or mime
- Original musical works, i.e. the musical notes themselves
- Original artistic works such as graphic works, paintings, drawings, photographs, jewellery, sculptures, maps, plans, blueprints and technical drawings
- Sound recordings
- Films
- Broadcasts
- Computer programmes and databases
- Crown Copyright
- Parliamentary Copyright
Under fair dealing, a general rule of thumb is that you can copy:
- One chapter or 5% of a book, whichever is the greater
- One complete article from a single issue of a journal
- Up to 10% (maximum 200 pages) of a short book, pamphlet or report
- One law report from a volume of judicial proceedings
- One paper from a set of conference proceedings
- A maximum of 10 pages or 5% of a poem, short story or other short literary work taken from an anthology of poetry or short stories
Remember that copyright violators are pursued vigorously by the right holders.
For more information, please visit our webpages on Copyright and read our library guide, Introduction to copyright.
If you have any question or you need assistance, please visit us in the Taylor Library & EDC.
Taylor Library Team
lawlib@abdn.ac.uk
Legal Information Update 