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BU Policies and Procedures

Copyright for Students

Generally, copyright protection lasts for 70 years following the death of the author. However, different rules apply to certain types of works. By default, the economic rights to creative work is held by its author. However, these rights can be assigned or sold (e.g. to a publisher) In cases where the work is created as part of employment, the employer typically holds the copyright, unless otherwise specified in the employment contract or agreement. These economic rights are intended to protect the copyright holder from financial loss. When someone copies a work without permission, they may deprive the rights holder of potential income by distributing the work for free. In addition to economic rights, moral rights are also protected under the Copyright Act. This includes:

  • the right to be identified as the author or director of a work
  • the right to object to derogatory treatment of the work
  • the right to prevent false attribution of authorship
  • the right of individuals who commission photographs to restrict their publication
  • these moral rights help ensure that creators are properly credited and that their works are used respectfully and ethically
Using Photocopiers & Scanners

When you are making copies of resources at the University you must comply with copyright law. The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 contains an exemption called 'Fair Dealing' which allows individuals to make a single copy of a short extract from a copyrighted work, for the purposes of:

  • non-commercial research and private study
  • criticism or review
  • illustration for instruction
Students with Disabilities

An accessible copy of a resource (must be held within the library) can be requested by or for a person with a disability for personal use. If an accessible version of the work is commercially available then this should be purchased rather than copied. If you have any queries about this, please contact your Library Subject Support Team

Converting Files into Accessible Formats

SensusAccess is a self-service system that allows students and staff to convert files into many different formats, including digital Braille, MP3, Daisy and plain text


You can make an accessible copy if you own the copyright (e.g. it's your own work), have permission from the copyright holder, if the copyright has expired, or if it's for someone with a print disability. If it’s for someone with a print disability you need to agree that:

For further advice, please contact Library Support

Exams & Assessed Work

The "illustration for instruction" exception of the Copyright Act permits copying for the purposes of setting or sitting an examination, but the 'fair dealing' concept applies, i.e. short extracts only may be copied, not a whole work. Assessed assignments, dissertations and theses are also covered by this exception but are also subject to 'fair dealing'

Please remember that all materials used in academic work should be fully referenced. Please see our information on How to cite references and the section below 'Plagiarism and Referencing'

Plagiarism and Referencing

You must acknowledge your source every time you refer to someone else's work. Failure to do so amounts to plagiarism, which is against the University rules and is a serious offence. Please see How to Avoid Plagiarism for further information

Your lecturers will expect you to set out your references using a standard format (the majority of courses at BU require use Harvard, however law & psychology students may use different systems) See our guide on How to cite references for further information

Television & DVD's

The University has an Educational Recording Agency (ERA) Plus licence, which allows students and staff to use BoB to record any programme broadcast on 'free to view' television

Electronic Materials

Electronic information is also protected by copyright, including web pages, e-mails and computer programs. Although the "illustration for instruction" exception of the Copyright Act means you can copy short extracts from materials in order to sit an exam or write a piece of assessed work, it is important to bear the following points in mind:

  • just because a web page may be available free of charge does not mean that it can be freely copied
  • forwarding or publishing material either in print or electronic format is an infringement
  • some web sites give express permission for copying. If a site does not, then some copying may be possible under a fair dealing exception (see above)
  • it is advisable to ask permission to include a link on your site as some institutions may object to being associated with the material on your site
  • do not use 'deep links' - i.e. always link into the home page of the site so as not to bypass copyright statements, credits or advertising materials, and to ensure that the author is identified
  • be careful when using frames - you would be infringing someone else's copyright if the link into their page is surrounded by your logos or information
  • do not carry out unauthorised downloading of software or music, e.g. by file sharing. This is illegal and penalties can be severe
Library Subscription-Based Databases, eJournals & eBooks

The use of these electronic resources is subject to the terms and conditions of the licence agreements between Bournemouth University and service providers. For general details, refer to Licence information

Turnitin

 
I'd like to use the Turnitin Draft Checker:

BU IT Services provide this useful Guide on Using Turnitin and the Turnitin Draft Checker. You can find a link to your Turnitin draft checker on your Brightspace home page - click on the Turnitin draft checker link. Please note that the Turnitin Draft Checker area in Brightspace should not be used for your completed assignment submission

 
I need help with understanding my Turnitin Draft Checker originality report:

You may contact your Faculty Library Team to share your report and receive advice. We offer support via email or we can arrange a one to one meeting. Contact details for your Faculty Library Team can be found in the Library area on Brightspace

 
I need to submit my final assignment online using Turnitin, where can I find help?
  • Go to the Brightspace Help area and read section 'Submitting assignments online'
  • Phone BU's IT Services 24x7 phone line: 01202 965515 or freephone 0808 196 2332