Guides for staff and students
It is University policy to comply with copyright law.
Griffith staff and students will find information on their copyright compliance obligations in the copyright guides below.
Griffith staff or students who are found to have intentionally or repeatedly violated the copyright rights of others may be denied access to the University's computing and networking facilities and resources. In addition, a person may be penalized according to the provisions laid out in the Student Misconduct Policy or the misconduct procedures within the current Enterprise Bargaining Agreements for Griffith staff.
Disclaimer for Griffith University's website
While Griffith University endeavours to provide accurate material on its website this material is provided "as-is" and Griffith University makes no representations about the suitability of this material for any purpose.
Griffith University disclaims all warranties with regard to this material and there is no guarantee given as to accuracy or currency of any individual item on the website. Griffith University does not accept responsibility for any damage or loss occasioned by the use of the material on the website nor from any access to the website. All access and use is at the risk of the user.
Griffith University reserves the right to change, at any time without notice, any material on the website.
Any information provided in relation to courses are an expression of interest only and are not to be taken as a firm offer or undertaking. Users should refer to originating bodies or departments for confirmation of the accuracy of material.
Copyright takedown request
If you believe that infringing copyright material (or material infringing a contract or licence) is on Griffith University’s digital network, please notify us by completing the online request form.
The University's designated representative for the purpose of receiving takedown notices from third parties in relation to content transmitted, cached, hosted or referred to on the Griffith network is Griffith’s Copyright and Information Policy Officer.
Copyright for Griffith University's website
Copyright © Griffith University.
Griffith University claims copyright ownership of all material on this website unless expressly stated otherwise. No part of the program nor the material contained in it may be copied (except as allowed by the copyright law of your country) or further disseminated without the express and written permission of Griffith University. To seek copyright permission, email: copyright-permissions@griffith.edu.au.
About Copyright
Copyright law determines when and how you can copy, publish, communicate or perform works that others have created. Copyright begins once a work has been created and requires no formal registration.
What does copyright protect?
- book chapters, journal and newspaper articles, documents
- letters, poetry, song lyrics, interviews
- internet material such as YouTube videos, images, podcasts, webpages, blogs
- films, music, videos, radio, TV broadcasts
- photos, diagrams, graphs
- paintings, sketches, drawings, sculpture, pottery, engravings
- fabric prints, weave patterns, tattoos
- plans, maps, buildings, models of buildings
- published editions, research data, computer programs
How long does copyright last for?
Generally copyright in a work lasts for the life of the author and 70 years. But often works will have shorter periods of duration. For example, if a photo was taken before 1 January 1955, the copyright has already expired, but if taken after, it lasts for the life of the photographer and 70 years.
For copyright duration pertaining to each type of work see the Australian Copyright Council's Duration of Copyright guide. For assistance contact the Copyright and Information Policy Officer.
Who owns the copyright?
Normally the creator owns the copyright on creating the work. The easiest way to find the copyright owner is to look for the © symbol on the work. For example, © 2019 Griffith University. Here Griffith University owns the copyright, and the copyright began in 2019.
As the employer, Griffith University owns the copyright in scholarly works (such as articles and research data), educational materials, creative works, and software created by academic and general staff under their employment. For more detail, see Griffith's Intellectual Property Policy
Particular research funding agreements can also determine copyright ownership.
When two or more people make significant contributions to a work, there is joint copyright ownership.
In the Creative Arts, works are sometimes produced outside the scope of employment. In addition, grants supporting the production of creative works are sometimes only awarded to individuals and not a University.
For clarity on ownership, speak with your Director, or the Copyright and Information Policy Officer.
Copyright ownership and publishing
In academic publishing, copyright is often transferred from the creator to the publisher by contract. However this can be negotiated, as copyright transfer is not essential for publication. As publishers normally seek copyright ownership in publishing agreements, Griffith allows staff to sign over (assign) Griffith's copyright to the publisher.
Student copyright
HDR candidates and students normally own the copyright in their essays, theses, articles, assignments and creative works. Staff should seek permission to use their work.
Commercialising copyright
Griffith encourages the commercialisation of copyright and other IP by providing incentives to staff. For further information, see Griffith's Intellectual Property Policy, or contact the Copyright and Information Policy Officer or Griffith Enterprise.
Copyright ownership in teaching materials
As the employer, Griffith owns the copyright in educational materials staff create. If academic staff leave to teach elsewhere, Griffith grants the staff member a licence to use the educational materials (they individually created whilst working at Griffith) in their new position. Staff should acknowledge that the educational materials were created at Griffith University.
For more detail, see Griffith's Intellectual Property Policy.
Need help?
Advice and support
The Copyright and Information Policy Officer provides copyright advice and training across Griffith University for staff and students. Contact the Copyright and Information Policy Officer by emailing copyright@griffith.edu.au or phoning (0)7 3735 5695.
- Reading List Service digitises and makes readings available online for students through Learning@Griffith in a copyright compliant way.
- The Library assists with supplying movies and TV material for teaching in a copyright compliant way.
- Griffith Enterprise advises on ownership and development of potentially commercial copyright, inventions and other IP created by staff and students.
