Copyright for media, spaces and events

Copyright for media, spaces and events

There are several options to play or perform copyright-protected material at University events and in social and work spaces. These are distinct from the schemes that permit the use of material for study, research, and educational purposes.  

Commercial Releases

While commercially released films can be played in class during educational instruction, the performance exception doesn’t extend to other purposes such as public screenings.   

For many titles, a non-theatrical licence can be obtained from the distributor for a single screening in return for a fee: 

Australian Film Societies Federation

Maintains a list of Australian distributors to contact for local and international films and documentaries.   

National Film and Sound Archive (NSFA) 

Provides 16mm film prints for loan, including the non-theatrical licence. 

Kanopy

Ask the Library to assist, if public performance rights are offered for that title. 

For other titles you may have to seek permission from the rightsholder(s) directly. Check the © copyright notice to identify the correct rightsholder (usually the publisher) to approach.  

Live Broadcasts

 There is an exception in the Copyright Act that permits live television and radio broadcasts to be played in public.   

Online video

 Check the licence terms for the service, and the specific item, to determine whether an online video can be played (performed) in public. The terms of service for a subscription provider such as Netflix expressly prohibits public performances of content. In contrast, YouTube obtains rights from users posting content to their site that enables other users to perform it publicly, so long as it isn’t downloaded or copied. 

Open Access Films

 There are vast collections of films and documentaries released under open access licences such as creative commons. See the OER How Do I Guide for information on how to find open access films. 

The University Music Licence permits the performance or playing of commercially released music including: 

  • At University events where ticket prices are less than $60 (ex. GST) per person. 
  • At University graduation ceremonies regardless of ticket price. 
  • During University activities conducted off-campus. 
  • In the workplace for the benefit of University staff. 

Note that the Music Licence does not cover playing music in campus spaces that are not owned or operated by the University, such as the Union, guilds, clubs, societies, associations and gyms. 

The Music Licence also permits the use of certain musical works to be recorded as well as streamed on the University website and social media channels. See Copyright Collecting Society Licences for details. 

Subscription streaming services are usually limited to personal use. Consider a commercial tier or service that permits public performance of their catalogue. 

Live radio broadcasts may be played in public under an exception in the Copyright Act. 

Whether producing videos, sound recordings, web pages or graphics, it is good practice to assess the potential for copyright clearances for any third-party materials before they are included in a project.  Contributions from actors, musicians, models and interview subjects may also be considered third-party material for clearance purposes.   

The Third Party Copyright Material template is useful for tracking copyright clearances throughout a project.  

Copyright clearance methods include: 

Check if copyright has expired 

See Copyright Durations for details. 

Use an Open Education Resource (OER) 

See the OER How Do I Guide for information on how to find OERs, including Creative Commons resources, by discipline and format. 

Obtain a licence 

Licences for stock videos and images can often be purchased.  

Obtain permission 

Contact the author or publisher directly.  

Rely on the University Music Licence 

Certain musical works can be included in videos and used on University websites and social media. See the Music Licence summary for details.  

Prescribed copyright notices are required on or adjacent to any publicly accessible equipment capable of copying or communicating published editions or audio-visual material, such as computers, photocopier/printer devices, and recording equipment. The notices reduce the risk of authorisation infringement in the event that the equipment is used to infringe copyright.  

Download the combined notice. It should be displayed in A4 format.   

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