Links

Copyright basics:

Patent Office
Guardians of intellectual property rights in the UK. The website contains information about the latest legislative issues, cases brought to the Copyright Tribunal as well as contact details for Patent Offices advisors who can specifically advise about copyright issues.

Government IPR Portal
The portal for the copyright section of the Patent Office site. Detailed information about copyright, including a series of FAQs, facts about copyright, links, the history of copyright and information about organisations who represent copyright holders.

Her Majesty's Stationary Office (HMSO)
Policy documents and information about the management and licensing of government material. In addition, it offers users the ability to reuse government content (such as Crown Copyright) by downloading and returning a "click licence". Different types of licences are available depending upon the nature of the material to be reproduced.

WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organisation)
A global overview of IPR is provided in this site, including extensive information about national legislations, conventions, treaties, member states, issues relating to evolving technology as well as how WIPO operates and the role of IPR in modern society.

Copyright and the cultural heritage sector:

BAPLA (British Association of Picture Libraries and Agencies)
One of the definitive sources of information on image licensing for UK professional working in the sector. It also contains relevant information for all users of copyright material, a news section as well as information about forthcoming events and training days of relevant to those working with material in copyright.

LACA (Libraries and Archives Copyright Alliance)
Formerly known as Library Association Copyright Alliance, it has a major role in monitoring and lobbying the Government and the EU on all aspects to do with copyright on behalf of UK libraries, archives and information services and their users. The website provides invaluable information and guidance about the practicalities and impact of the new copyright legislation.

TASI (Technical Advisory Service for Images)
A JISC funded initiative aiming to give guidance for the creation, management, delivery and utilization of digital images. It also provides advice and training on specific topics.

British Library Copyright Office
Detailed information about copyright, including the duration of copyright for a variety of material, FAQs about the new copyright legislation and downloadable declaration forms for library privilege copies as per the implementation of the Directive, 31 October 2003.

EMII-DCF
This was an European funded project provides a framework for the digitisation of content. The Framework Report includes an analysis of the legal requirements, like copyright and IPR for content holders and content users. There are also model licence agreements that can be adapted for specific uses.

Tracing rights holders:

WATCH File (Writers, Artists, and Their Copyright Holders)
A collaborative database run by the University of Texas, USA and Reading University, UK, provides an important source of contact information for artists, writer and their rights holders.

Licensing Bodies:

Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA)
A non-profit making company that licenses organisations for photocopying and scanning through a blanket licence. The website includes details about the licences and work of CLA, as well as useful list of works that are excluded from its licences.

Design and Artists Copyright Society (DACS)
In collaboration with sister societies operating abroad, DACS represents the rights of tens of thousands of artists, photographers, designers and illustrators. The newly designed website includes details about the artists that are represented, how DACS operates, fact sheets covering a wide range of issues relating to copyright and contact details for the organisation.

Newspaper Licensing Agency (NLA)
Represents the rights of UK national and some foreign newspapers. It offers rights to photocopy/fax, digitally copy and transmit cuttings for internal use and specialised rights to distribute externally under one licence.

PRS (The Performing Right Society)
Collects licence fees for the performance and broadcast of musical works. Through the PRS website, information is provided about how music providers can clear the mechanical and performing rights in online music downloads in one licence administered jointly by MCPS and PRS in a one-stop procedure.

The Bridgeman Art Library
Represents the copyright of a number of artists and collections, information about which is on their website.

Alternative licensing:

Creative Commons
A movement committed to expanding the range of creative work available for others to build upon and share. Aims to protect artists' works, whilst at the same time encouraging certain free uses through alternative licensing agreements. Takes much of its philosophy from Free Software's GNU General Public License.

International copyright links:

US Copyright Office
Gives a complete overview of the legalities and issues relating to the copyright legislation in the US. FAQ's, information about registration, licensing and a search facility for registered works.

Copyright in Cultural Institutions (CICI)
The working group of managers working with IPR in Australia.

Indiana University - Copyright Management Center
Has a quick guide to US copyright issues, fair use and details about the management and registration of copyright in the US. Also details about events and seminars in the US.

Copyright Resources on the Internet
Links and resources about copyright from a US perspective, although much of the information is relevant anywhere.

Copyright Kids
US site aimed at educating children about their responsibilities towards respecting copyright, although it is presented in a way that is beneficial to most. The site contains some useful FAQ's as well as an interactive quiz - The Copyright Challenge.

Nolo - Copyrights
Contains a plethora of FAQ's relating to copyright from a US perspective.

The Spinoza Project - Intellectual Property Law WebScape
This Israeli initiative based at the University of Haifa, includes discussion groups about IPR, course information, news, programmes and resources.

The Museums Computer Network - Copyright and Intellectual Property Law Resources
Provides comprehensive links to sites related to copyright across the Globe, including Japan, Australia and Canada.

More about copyright:

Copyright and the Internet: myth and reality
Paul Pedley gives an overview of the common misunderstandings about copyright legislation and the Internet, including misconceptions about the 5% rule, database rights and the role of acknowledgement.

Copyright and Art Issues - VRA
Christine L. Sundt has compiled an overview of the US issues relating to copyright and art, with a focus on museums and digital images. Includes links to discussions, speeches, policies and documents.

The Copyright Website
A portal with examples of copyright in action, such as MP3 and the relationship between a number of block buster films and copyright.

These links are compiled by Naomi Korn

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©2004 Museums Copyright Group