We use cookies to give you the best experience and to help improve our website

Find out more about how we use cookies

Choose whether to use cookies:

No thanks That's fine

Skip to main content

Jisc

You are in:

  • Advice
  • Guides
  • Copyright law
  • Copyright legislation in the UK

Utilities:

  • Search the Jisc website
    Clear search results

Search the Jisc website
Clear search results

Navigation:

Guide

Copyright legislation in the UK

Part of

Archived
This content was archived in June 2017

About this guide

  • Published: 12 June 2014
  • Updated: 12 June 2014

View full guide as a single page

Contents

Copyright law
  • Copyright legislation in the UK
  • What works are protected by copyright?
  • Rights granted by copyright
  • Copyright ownership
  • Database right
  • Additional rights
  • Duration of copyright protection
  • Infringement of copyright
  • Exceptions to infringement of copyright
  • Licences
  • Enforcement of copyright
  • Useful links

Copyright law in the UK is governed by Part I of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (CDPA, the Act). It has been subject to various amendments over time including revisions recognising the digital age in 2003, and with a recognition of creative industry and education in 2014. 

The UK legislation has been updated on a number of occasions to harmonise it with the provisions of international treaties and conventions to which the UK is a signatory. 

Relevance of copyright UK FE and HE

Understanding copyright law and how it applies is of fundamental importance to FE and HE because as users, producers and disseminators of information they need to maximise their ability to exploit the value in their work as well as minimise the risk of infringement and the consequent liability towards others.  

For example, the internet facilitates the open dissemination of information in an unprecedented manner. Those working in the FE and HE sectors need to be aware that their work will often contain copyright-protected content from others.  Just because materials (such as internet content, software, databases and journals) are openly available does not necessarily mean that they may be freely used.

Usually such materials are made available under licence terms and conditions. Institutions must ensure that digital resources are used in accordance with those terms of use.

Book Navigation

  • ‹ Copyright law
  • up
  • What works are protected by copyright? ›

You are in:

  • Advice
  • Guides
  • Copyright law
  • Copyright legislation in the UK

Areas

  • Connectivity
  • Cyber security
  • Cloud
  • Data analytics
  • Libraries, learning resources and research
  • Student experience
  • Trust and identity
  • Advice and guidance

Explore

  • Guides
  • Training
  • Consultancy
  • Events
  • R&D

Useful

  • About
  • Membership
  • Get involved
  • News
  • Jobs

Get in touch

  • Contact us
  • Sign up to our newsletter
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Cookies
  • Privacy
  • Modern slavery
  • Carbon reduction plan
  • Accessibility