Embedded Files
This guide is intended to provide a brief introduction and answer frequently asked questions. It does not seek to be exhaustive and definitely cannot be taken as legal advice.
If you need legal support, we recommend that you contact colleagues at the HKBU Knowledge Transfer Office as they work with solicitors and legal advisers on a daily basis and can offer in-depth consultations and professional advice.
Q1 | What can I copy for my private study or research? And is there a limit in quantity?
Q1 | What can I copy for my private study or research? And is there a limit in quantity?
Copying of a work means reproducing the work in any form including photocopies, as well as reproducing and storing the work in any medium electronically. If you're making personal copies for yourself, as long as your copying is for your own research or private study this is allowed. However, you must ensure that your copying fulfills the terms of fair dealing (see Q1 on Fair Dealing & CC License) under the Copyright Ordinance.
Note however, that there is no prescribed amount on what can be copied. It is not always quantity, but also quality when observing fair dealing. For example, a work will only be infringed if a substantial or important part is taken, such as copying a catchy musical phrase from a song. Also, to enjoy fair dealing, you need to ensure proper attribution - title and authorship of the work and in a fair way.
Read more:
Warning to Users of Copying Devices
The HK Amended Copyright Law: A Guide for Teachers and Students
HKBU Guidelines for the protection of Intellectual Property Rights | Office of Student Affairs
Q2 | Can I include copyright contents in my assignments, thesis or dissertation? When do I need to get permission?
Q2 | Can I include copyright contents in my assignments, thesis or dissertation? When do I need to get permission?
Use of works protected by copyright in your assignments, thesis or dissertation will need either permission or fair dealing justification (see Q1 on Fair Dealing & CC License). There is no exact rule as to how much you can use but in general, you should keep it to a minimum just to illustrate your points.
When using images, they should be related to your research. If you use a large number of copyright-protected images, it is wise to seek permission. It is easy to search for images from the public domain or via the Creative Commons licenses and they can be used without permission or concern for fair dealing. If permission is necessary, you need to locate the copyright holder and make contact for approval. Sometimes copyright ownership is transferred to a publisher and you may need to contact the publisher for permission.
Finally, you need to ensure proper attribution - acknowledge title and authorship of the work as part of academic integrity and good scholarship. Note also that you understand the difference between copyright infringement and plagiarism because they are two very different things (see Q4 below).
Read more:
Citing Sources (APA, MLA, ...) | HKBU Library
Q3 | What is the difference between copyright infringement and plagiarism? How can I avoid both in my assignments?
Q3 | What is the difference between copyright infringement and plagiarism? How can I avoid both in my assignments?
Plagiarizing is about academic integrity and happens when someone fails to properly attribute the author or creator of a work, whether it be ideas, text or images. Copyright is about failure to get permission when permission is required. You can thus plagiarize someone's work and not infringe upon their copyright; you can also commit copyright infringements without plagiarizing anyone's work.
To avoid plagiarism:
Unless you are citing facts that are common knowledge, ensure that you follow rules when citing sources such as direct quotations, paraphrasing or summarizing ideas from other sources.
To avoid copyright infringements:
You need to confirm that the resources you are using are copyright-free and if so, whether it requires attribution or acknowledgements. Checking for license or permission before you use anything will ensure academic integrity and avoid penalties such as mark deduction.
Read more:
Citing Sources (APA, MLA, ...) | HKBU Library
Q4 | What do I need to be aware of when using Library e-resources?
Q4 | What do I need to be aware of when using Library e-resources?
The use of Library-subscribed e-resources is governed by license agreements negotiated between the University Library and publishers/vendors. You are reminded to respect the following terms of agreements so that the entire University community can enjoy uninterrupted access.
Appropriate Use
Copyright regulations allow downloading, saving, and printing of a reasonable portion of text, search results, or other information obtained from e-resources, provided that they are for studying, teaching, or research purposes. You are reminded not to share your access password with others. If you need to copy or use information obtained from e-resources in your work, make sure you include proper attribution.
Excessive/Systematic Downloading
Systematic or programmatic downloading, copying, or archiving of an excessive portion of an e-resource in any form or medium is not permitted, such as:
Continuous downloading of articles for a period of time
Continuous downloading of tables of content, search results, or citations for a period of time
Downloading the complete run of an e-journal
Downloading entire e-books
Archiving of downloaded materials on local servers outside the control of the publisher/vendor without permission
Redistribution of Information
You are not permitted to resell, redistribute, or reproduce any e-resources content, search results, other output, or other information in any medium or form. Posting retrieved/downloaded materials to a listserv, website, or e-mail list is also not permitted. The same applies to redistribution of materials to non-subscribers or non-subscribing institutions.
Consequences of Agreement Violations
The publisher/vendor has the right to monitor the use of e-resources and track account activity. If unusual activity is detected, the machine that is the source of the suspected misuse will be traced. The publisher/vendor may ask the Library to warn users of the source machine, or even deny access to the e-resource involved to the entire University community. Users are therefore fully responsible for the legal and monetary penalties that may be applied by the publisher/vendor. The Library may also suspend violators from access to other Library-subscribed e-resources.
Read more:
Appropriate Use of E-resources | HKBU Library
Q5 | Where can I find copyright-free online resources such as images, icons or videos for my assignments?
Q5 | Where can I find copyright-free online resources such as images, icons or videos for my assignments?
There are plenty of copyright-free online resources and a few general ones are listed below. However, some sites may require you to include attribution details or issue an acknowledgement, or to register beforehand. Make sure you respect those terms before free use!
IMAGES
High resolution professional quality photos under Creative Commons CC0 license
After your search, click Tools, then filter by "Usage Rights"
Millions of free images offered by flickr members under Creative Commons licenses
ONLINE VIDEOS
Nature Online Video Streaming Archive
Interviews with scientists behind their research and analysis, from Nature's journal editors
Online streaming platform with Phoenix in-house TV and other media outlets
CLIPART
Free for all use, including commercial
Free images under the Creative Commons CC0 license
ICONS
Noun Project: Icons for everything
Over 100,000 high quality icons. Free use only with attribution
Q6 | What is Open Access and why am I encouraged to publish my thesis at HKBU?
Q6 | What is Open Access and why am I encouraged to publish my thesis at HKBU?
Open Access (OA) is an international movement since 2002 that advocates for the practice of making research and scholarly literature freely accessible on the internet, permitting any users to read, download, copy, distribute and print.
In 2016, HKBU adopted the Open Access Policy, requiring faculty to deposit their work and encouraging students to deposit their theses and dissertations in university systems. As author, you own copyright of your work but need to declare copyright clearance of any third party materials included in your thesis or dissertation. For further details about publishing your thesis at HKBU, please contact Graduate School.
Read more:
HKBU Administrative Guidelines for the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights | Knowledge Transfer Office
Open Access: Why bother? | HKBU Library
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