Copyright | Staff guide
What is Copyright?
Copyright is a law that protects creative work. It gives rules about how we can copy and share things like books, music, art, and videos.
This guide explains the basics and helps Liverpool John Moores University staff and students follow the law when making copies of printed or digital materials.
Copyright Law in the UK
The UK law on copyright is called the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act (1988).
It protects the rights of people who create and publish:
- Books and written work
- Plays and drama
- Art and design
- Music
- Films and videos
- Online and digital work
If a work is original, it is protected by copyright automatically.
You do not need to register it or use the © symbol for it to be protected.
The © symbol was created in 1952 by the Universal Copyright Convention. It shows that the work is protected by copyright.
Who Owns Copyright?
Usually, the person who creates the work owns the copyright.
If the work was made as part of a job, the employer usually owns the copyright unless the contract says something different.
Copyright can be sold or given to someone else.
For example, an author can give some or all of their rights to a publisher.
How to Find the Copyright Owner
The copyright owner is often one of these:
- The creator or author
- Their employer
- The person who paid for the work (commissioned it)
- The producer
- The publisher
Rights of Copyright Owners
Copyright owners have special rights. They can:
- Copy the work
- Share copies with the public
- Perform, show, or play the work in public
- Broadcast the work
- Adapt the work (make changes)
Copyright Infringement
If you do any of these things without permission or a licence, you are breaking the law.
Copyright Advice for LJMU Staff, Students, and Researchers
Read the full copyright guidance for staff, students, and researchers.
