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Copyright for Teaching Staff

Copyright information and guidance for teaching and learning

Using Others Creative Work

For teaching your students, you may copy:

  • One chapter of a book, or 10% of the pages (10% of the words if the work is in electronic form)
  • One article from a journal or newspaper (more if the articles are for the same assignment, or are on the same subject matter in a special edition)
  • 15 pages from an anthology (for example: a collection of short stories)
  • All of an artistic work, for example: a diagram or photo (when not available for separate purchase)
  • 10% of a sheet music piece or play

You may:

  • Make multiple photocopies (yes, photocopies - as in, hard copies).
  • Create a course pack (also a hard copy)
  • Have the material available online through the Readings platform (see below)

Readings service

The Library's Readings service provides subject coordinators and lecturers with a convenient way of making reading material available online. Library staff scan original documents or link to online material and upload to our system for access. Teaching staff are then able to integrate readings into a subject LearnJCU page to enable student access. library staff monitor copyright use across all units.

Copyright limitations each calendar year

Books: One chapter or 10% (whichever is greater) of an edition.

Journals: One article from each issue, or more than one if it is for the same research topic.

If someone has already used a portion of this document on campus this year, including via Readings, LearnJCU or other method, discuss your options with Library staff. Library staff may be able to:

  • Order more copies of the book
  • Scan the chapter from a different edition (if available)
  • Scan an alternate reading of your choice
  • Contact the publisher of out-of-print books and get written permission to reproduce more of the document
  • Find another option that may be suitable

Please make sure you contact the Library as soon as possible, as many of these options require some lead time.

More information: Readings Information for Academic Staff

Document Delivery

The Library may be able to supply copies through Inter-library-loans & document supply up to the following limits:

  • One chapter or 10% of a book (whichever is greater)
  • One article from a journal issue, or more than one if it is for the same research topic.

We acknowledge the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and acknowledge Traditional Owners of the lands where our staff and students, live, learn and work.Acknowledgement of Country

Creative Commons Licence
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) 4.0 International License, unless otherwise noted. Content from this Guide should be attributed to James Cook University Library. This does not apply to images, third party material (seek permission from the original owner) or any logos or insignia belonging to JCU or other bodies, which remain All Rights Reserved.

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