Repository copyright
Information for contributors
Copyright owners retain all rights under copyright law (including moral rights), and grant the University a non-exclusive right to store and use content deposited in the repository via the Open Research Newcastle Deposit Licence (PDF). Under the terms of this licence, only those with the authority to do so may deposit material into the repository. Responsibility for ensuring that the copyrights of others, including publishers and individuals, are not infringed rests with the person making the deposit.
It is common for authors to assign copyright to publishers as part of publishing agreements. Library staff can assist with determining the publisher's policy for deposit to the repository. If the published version of your work cannot be made open access it may be possible for the author's accepted manuscript (the version after peer review and editorial processes, known as a 'post-print') to be made available. Where Creative Commons or open licensing has been applied, as-published versions are more likely to be suitable.
HDR students should read our guide to Copyright in your digital thesis (PDF) before submission.
Information for users
Unless otherwise indicated, you may only copy material in the repository for your personal, non-commercial use, subject to your country's copyright legislation, provided that the material is properly attributed. If the material is required for purposes other than those allowed for by any noted licensing or this statement, you should contact the copyright owner directly for reuse permissions.
Further information on the licensing available on material and associated allowed usage can be found below.
'All rights reserved' is a common rights statement attached to material released by many publishers and organisations. This statement identifies to users that the copyright owner saves for themselves all rights granted to them under copyright law, including:
- reproduction (copying, scanning, etc.),
- adaptation (editing or changing a work, creating a new work based on this work),
- performance (playing or displaying a work publicly),
- publication, and
- communication (posting or sharing a work online).
Even where material does not include this statement, it should be assumed to be the case unless otherwise identified.
Either way, this means that you may have limited potential use of material unless you can rely on an exception in copyright legislation such as 'fair dealing' or a statutory licence, or permission from the copyright owner.
Note that referencing/attribution alone is usually not be enough to satisfy requirements for reuse of material. You also cannot 'get around' copyright by changing a small amount of the material.
Creative Commons (CC) is a world-wide, non-profit organisation that provides tools for free and open licensing that allows for materials to be shared, reused and remixed, legally.
There are 4 elements that combine to create the 6 CC licences. Each licence has a 'deed' page that provides a quick summary of what is allowed (and required) under the licence, plus a 'legal code' page that provides more detailed information. For example, CC BY 4.0's deed page and legal code.
While the latest CC licence suite is 4.0 (launched in 2013), you may see legacy versions of CC licensing (such as 3.0, 2.5 AU, and so on) noted in the repository, depending on the time period involved and whether the most recent licence was applied at the time of creation/publication. As the legal code has changed between iterations, users should check the licence's code to confirm their desired use is appropriate - do not assume that provisions in 4.0 are also included in previous versions.
Note that CC licensing works within copyright. You may be able to rely on an exception in copyright legislation such as 'fair dealing' or a statutory licence, or permission from the copyright owner to undertake uses of material that would otherwise be outside of the terms of the CC licence.
In addition to the 6 licences, Creative Commons also has 2 public domain tools. You can copy, distribute, display, perform, modify, or otherwise (re)use public domain works for any purpose, including without attribution (where appropriate).
For more information on Creative Commons (including attribution requirements), see Open licensing.
In addition to the licensing noted above, the repository may include other licensing options, including for data or software.
Users should ensure that they only use material within the terms of the licensing noted, unless they are able to rely on an exception in copyright legislation such as 'fair dealing' or a statutory licence, or direct permission from the copyright owner.
Just because material has been made openly available in the repository does not mean that it is openly-licensed, or otherwise available to be reused without consideration to the copyright involved.
This page may be updated further as specific examples within the repository are identified.
Do you believe your copyright has been infringed?
If you believe material available via the repository constitutes copyright infringement or a breach of licence or contract, our Takedown Notice Form is available on the University's Copyright and disclaimer page. Please read the required information for submission of the form to assist with our investigation and response.
Need help with copyright?
The University's Copyright Advisor can assist with enquiries around copyright. Repository staff can assist with determining open access options based on publisher policies and copyright agreements with authors.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.