Sources of information and advice on copyright
Of all the intellectual property rights, copyright is probably the one that has most relevance for schools.
In basic terms, copyright gives the creators of materials control over how they are used. Copyright protection comes into force as soon as something is created or fixed in some way; whether that is on paper, film, in audio format or electronically such as a website, CD-ROM or database. Copyright does not, however, protect ideas, names or titles.
This page provides links to sources of information and advice on copyright for schools.
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1998
The full text of the Act is available from Her Majesty’s Stationery Office (HMSO).
Copyright and Related Rights Regulations 2003 (SI 2003, No. 2498)
The most recent amendment to the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1998 is also available from HMSO.
General information on intellectual property and copyright
A guide to licensing copyright in schools
This website aims to help schools identify some of the main activities which need to be licensed, and provides links to sources of further information and advice.
British Copyright Council
The British Copyright Council (BCC) is a national consultative and advisory body representing organisations of copyright owners and performers, and others interested in copyright in the UK. It also lobbies for changes in the law on copyright and related issues.
Creative Commons
The Creative Commons website gives advice on copyright for work published online, allowing work to be copied and distributed under the conditions specified by the originator.
Institute for Citizenship
The Institute for Citizenship, through its education work, supports teachers to interpret the citizenship curriculum in exciting and innovative ways. It provides a range of teaching resources including a free interactive CD-ROM produced in association with the UK Patent Office. Aimed at Key Stage 4 pupils, Net Benefit focuses on the use of the internet from a consumer perspective, including information on copyright law.
Intellectual property
Maintained by the UK Intellectual Property Office, this site acts as a signposting resource for information on intellectual property. The site provides specific information on intellectual property in education, computing and the internet, and the intellectual property rights of other countries.
Specific information about intellectual property in education
Specific information about intellectual property on computing and the internet
Specific information about intellectual property abroad
Teachernet
This website gives an overview of copyright specifically for teachers, including issues relating to radio and television, and the internet.
UK Intellectual Property Office
The UK Intellectual Property Office is responsible for intellectual property in the UK. The website provides information on trade marks, copyright, designs and patents, along with links to other sources of information and advice.
Specific information on copyright licensing for different types of resource
British Music Rights
A free education pack is available for secondary schools from British Music Rights (BMR). The pack called 'Respect the Value of Music' is aimed at 11-14 year olds and contains lesson plans and activities, teacher’s notes and a poster. To order a pack telephone 0870 242 5572. BMR is also involved in number of other education and awareness activities for young people – see the Education section of their website for further information.
Christian Copyright Licensing International
Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI) licenses schools for use of copyright materials for collective worship. The licence includes making songsheets and songbooks, inputting lyrics into a computer, making presentation slides and recording worship services.
Copyright Licensing Agency
The Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA) is a non-profit organisation which licenses the copying of extracts from books, journals and magazines protected by copyright.
Educational Recording Agency
The Educational Recording Agency (ERA) licenses educational establishments to record broadcast materials (such as radio, television and cable programmes) for educational purposes, and allows electronic communication of licensed recordings within an educational establishment.
MCPS-PRS Alliance
An amalgamation of the Mechanical-Copyright Protection Society and the Performing Right Society, the MCPS-PRS Alliance collects and distributes royalties to music writers, composers and publishers, generated from the recording and performance or broadcast of music in many different formats. This may be relevant to schools if creating multimedia resources incorporating music, and will also apply to recordings of school concerts, plays or other events.
Music Publishers Association
The Music Publishers Association (MPA) issues licences to photocopy sheet music or to perform a musical.
Newspaper Licensing Agency
The Newspaper Licensing Agency (NLA) licenses organisations to take legal copies of national and regional newspaper articles in both paper and digital formats.
Phonographic Performance Ltd
Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL) is a music industry organisation which collects and distributes airplay and public performance royalties in the UK on behalf of record companies and performers.
Note: Information contained in this document does not constitute legal advice.
Published: 22 November 2005
Last modified: 15 April 2008
