Copyright Ownership and Permission

The use of research material under copyright requires permission of the copyright owner before the start of the research project under the Commonwealth Copyright Act (1968).

Most common research tools under copyright can be surveys and questionnaires, or audio-visual resources for research performance. Copyright protects against unauthorised use, adjustment or unapproved translation of this type of originally developed and validated research material. Often the use of copyrighted tools for academic research is free of charge, but the copyright holder needs to be informed and official permission needs to be granted.

Research-related written work under copyright can be scholarly publications, including text and graphics. If not published in Open Access or under a Creative Commons license, the copyright holder (frequently the publisher of the scholarly journal) needs to be asked for permission to reprint the text or graphic. If not substantial, properly justified and accurately referenced, a request for re-use is usually approved.

Lack of permission by the copyright owner to use their protected tool or material may prevent publication of the research in international peer reviewed scholarly journals of standard.

The University Library can provide more general information on copyright in Australia.