Copyright and GDPR
In the modern world, we can access thousands of images online in the amount of time it takes to click the search button on Google. However, many of the images we encounter online are still protected by copyright. Just because something is available to view and download from the web, it doesn’t mean that it is free to copy or share with others.
Please see the links below to learn about your responsibilities when it comes to copyright.
Copyright Decision Tree
The UoM Library has a helpful decision tree resource which you can use to work out if you can use what you want to. If you have located something and can find information about the licence, this tree will help you decide if you can use it!
This covers images, videos, music, broadcastable material etc. Please note:
“Public Domain” is a specific legal term and is not referring to you accessing things easily on the internet.
If you want to find out how to work out if something has an “open access” or “Creative commons” licence, you need to take a look at our copyright talk on Blackboard.
“OER” means “Open Educational Resource” which is what you are creating, as it will be Open to the world.
– Copyright Decision Tree
Can I use the University logo in my project?
In short, no.
You must not use the University logo or branding in your project without prior written consent. This includes wearing UoM-issued uniforms (scrubs, I.D. badges etc). The official statement on this is included below:
“On social platforms, including YouTube, you must not use the University of Manchester logo and branding without prior written consent or agreement. It is inappropriate, and unlawful, for you to use this without the University’s prior consent. Similarly, material including students wearing UoM scrubs and advertises you being a UoM student is not acceptable. These actions result in the impression of advocacy and content endorsed by the University.”
To aid you in using social media appropriately, there is the University of Manchester social media policy available for guidance.
How does copyright relate to my project?
In addition to your final resource, we also ask you to upload additional files that help make up the pieces of the final product – we call these your ‘build files’.
Build files should be uploaded in two categories, the latter of which relates to items that you have found online e.g. stock photos, videos. You do not need to upload a copy of these files as they will be available elsewhere, but you do need to tell us where you found them. One of the simplest ways to accomplish this is to create a three column spreadsheet.
In the first column, identify the item clearly. This could be the figure number, or a more descriptive identifier (“The video on slide 3” for example).
In the second column, put a link to where you found it. This should be the original source, not just a google image search result.
In the third column, state the copyright status of the item. This could be public domain, a specified CC licence, or note that the item is copyrighted. If it is copyrighted, note whether you have permission to use it or not.
There are some grey areas inbetween these cases. For example, the Motifolio images provided in this unit, or stock images provided in PowerPoint or Moovly. In these cases, the original files do not need to be uploaded, but the items used should be mentioned in the list of items. You would not need to include a link to the original source, but would need to note that they were stock images from a specific piece of software or were taken from the Blackboard unit.
Please note that references in your report or in your resource itself are not sufficient for this second part, as these will not usually include the copyright status of an item. A separate list is required.