Check for copyright licences
You can use copyright material without permission if a licence applies.
Copyright owners have exclusive rights to reproduce or publish their work, perform or present it in public, make it available online or send it via email, or make an adaptation of it (including a translation). Read the Australian Copyright Council's fact sheets: An Introduction to Copyright in Australia and Duration of Copyright for more info.
A copyright owner can apply a licence to their work to make the material available for others to use. There are different types of licences, and each has unique terms and conditions. Check if any of the licences below cover the content you want to use.
Copyright licences used at Federation
Section 113P of the Australian Copyright Act 1968 allows university staff and students to copy material for educational purposes without getting permission from the copyright owner.
We have a contract with the Copyright Agency to allow the limited use of text and images, and we have a contract with Screenrights to allow the limited use of television and radio broadcasts. All copied material should be attributed, and an appropriate copyright notice should be displayed.
We have a contract with APRA, AMCOS, PPCA, and ARIA that means staff and students can perform, copy or play most copyright musical works and sound recordings without getting permission from the copyright owner.
You can perform or play recorded music:
- for educational purposes (e.g. in class)
- for the benefit of employees (e.g. in staff rooms and at staff-only events)
- at University events (with up to $60 ticket cost) or graduations (with no limit on ticket cost)
- in University spaces and University-owned and run businesses.
You can also:
- record free University events where music is performed or played and sell those recordings (in a physical format) for University purposes
- record music for educational purposes
- synchronise sound recordings with visual recordings of University events or classes
- store licenced recordings on a password-protected University platform or in a physical format (to be used at University).
Not all songs are covered by the tertiary music licence. Search the APRA AMCOS website to find out which songs you can use.
When you use music, make sure you display an appropriate copyright notice and attribution that includes the title, composer, lyricist, arranger, artist/group and record company.
Sound recordings made available from a 'central unit' must be reported annually. A central unit is defined as an area of the university (like a department) that has a bank of recordings available. You can nominate one by emailing copyright@federation.edu.au or calling (03) 5327 9876.
Keep in mind that the licence doesn’t cover copying music videos or using music at campus events organised by a third parties (which require a licence from OneMusic).
Other licence agreements
Copyright owners can apply a Creative Commons (CC) licence to make their work freely available. If you want to use any material under a CC licence, you don't need to ask permission (but you must still follow the terms of the licence and include an attribution). All CC licences allow sharing and reusing, and some also allow commercial use and modification. If you want to apply a CC licence to your own work, follow our open access publishing guidelines.
The Library subscribes to various databases that have separate licence agreements. This means students and staff can access journals, images, text, eBooks, films and television programs, and use this copyright material under the terms of the agreements.
These licences don't apply to your content?
What can happen if you don't follow copyright law
Contact us
If you have any questions about copyright, please email copyright@federation.edu.au or call (03) 5327 9876.