Screenlights Licence FAQs
Screenrights Australian educational services allow educational institutions to copy from television and radio for educational purposes and to communicate those copies, provided the communication is to staff and students of the institution only.
These FAQs have been adapted for CQUniversity from the Screenrights website (with permission).
Click on the questions to go to answers below:
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Can I put a copy of a broadcast online in the teaching reference materials?
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Can I include copied programs in emails of course materials that I send to students?
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Can I get copies of programs previously broadcast if I forgot to tape them?
What can I copy under my Screenrights licence?
You can copy anything from radio or television (free-to-air and pay) and you can make as many copies as you like. You can copy all or part of a program. You can also make up compilation tapes of material you have copied. The only requirements are that you have a Screenrights licence, that the copy is made for the educational purposes of the institution, and that it is labelled.
Copies must be labelled with the name of the institution, the fact that the copy was made under Part VA of the Copyright Act, the date on which the material was broadcast and the date on which the copy was made (if this different).
For example:
Made for CQUniversity under Part VA of the Australian Copyright Act 1968.
Date of broadcast:
Channel/Stat
Date this copy made:
Yes. Teachers can copy at home on behalf of an educational institution covered by an agreement with Screenrights, provided the copy is made for the teaching purposes of the institution and labelled in the appropriate manner.
Can I make digital copies under my Screenrights licence?
Yes. You can record off-air in any format, or convert the recording to another format, including burning it to a CD, DVD etc.
Can I make a copy of a radio/TV podcast?
Following amendment of the Act, you can now download a copy of a free-to-air broadcast that has been subsequently put on an website by the broadcaster, for example podcasts of ABC radio shows. However, you cannot rely the on the Screenrights Licence to make copies of podcasts made exclusively for the internet. Don't forget to add the Part VA warning notice when you make the digital file available, by email or on a secure website.
Can I copy videos or CDs that I bought or rented?
No. Your Screenrights licence only allows you to copy material from television or radio. Copying bought or hired videos or CDs without permission from rightsholders may infringe copyright. Contact the Copyright Officer if you need help applying to the rightsholders for permission.
Can I show videos or CDs that I bought or rented in class?
Section 28 of the Copyright Act allows a teacher to show a program, or play a CD in a class or lecture as part of the instruction without infringing copyright, provided that:
- the instruction is not for profit and
- the audience is limited to people taking part in the instruction or otherwise directly connected with the educational institution.
If you are unsure as to whether your situation falls within this exception, you should seek advice.
What is a Screenrights "communication" licence?
Screenrights not only offers educational institutions a licence to copy programs from television and radio, it also has a licence to allow the communication of these copies for educational purposes provided an additional fee is paid. This allows educational institutions to make certain further uses of the copies they make. "Communication" is specifically defined in the Copyright Act and includes online transmission, emails and broadcast.
Can I show/play Screenrights copies of broadcasts in classes conducted simultaneously on a number of campuses (eg. by videoconferencing or ISL)?
Yes, you can communicate Screenrights copies to other campuses, provided the use is for educational purposes and the audience is limited to those taking part in the instruction. You do not have to display the warning notice in your transmission if the people receiving or accessing the program cannot make further copies or communications.
Can I record a lecture which includes Screenrights copies of broadcasts for later viewing online, in Blackboard courses, etc.?
Yes, CQUniversity can make broadcast material available online, provided access is limited to the students and teachers at the institution and provided the above warning notice is included with the communicated copies.
Can I put a copy of a broadcast online in the teaching reference materials?
Yes, CQUniversity can make broadcast material available online, provided access is limited to the students and teachers at the institution and provided the above warning notice is included with the communicated copies.
Can I include copied programs in emails of course materials that I send to students?
You can include copied programs in emails to students, provided the appropriate warning under the Copyright Regulations is on each communicated copy. This notice should state the following:
Copyright Regulations 1969
WARNING
The material in this communication may be subject to copyright under the Act. Any further copying or communication of this material by you may be the subject of copyright protection under the Act.
Do not remove this notice
Why do I have to fill in forms for copying?
One of Screenrights' roles is to monitor what is being copied. This is necessary for us to work out who should be paid. Under the Copyright Act, educational institutions can either keep full records of everything they copy and forward these records to us on a quarterly basis, or they can elect to participate in a sample. This means that they only need to keep records for a brief period if they are selected to be surveyed. All relevant staff are given full training prior to the commencement of the survey period and the survey results are extrapolated by an independent authority to give an accurate picture of copying practices across a sector. Most institutions elect to participate in the sample as the administrative burden is considerably less than keeping records all the time.
Monitoring copying therefore involves a certain amount of filling in forms. Electing to participate in the sample process greatly reduces the number of forms that you have to complete.
What is meant by "sampling" and "record keeping"?
Under the Copyright Act, there are two ways in which educational institutions can elect to have their copying practices monitored. "Record keeping" means that the institution keeps full records of everything they copy, forwarding this information to Screenrights on a quarterly basis. "Sampling" means the institution does not need to keep records of everything they copy, instead they participate in a sample, only keeping records if and when they are selected to be surveyed. All relevant staff are given full training prior to the commencement of the survey period and the survey results are extrapolated by an independent authority to give an accurate picture of copying practices across a sector. Most institutions elect to participate in the sample as the administrative burden is considerably less than keeping records all the time.
How do I know when a program that is relevant to my class is about to be broadcast? Where can I access study material to supplement a program I use?
By subscribing to enhanceTV you can receive a free online program guide divided into subject areas. This guide also contains a list of relevant www sites for upcoming programs, leading you to a wealth of other teaching resources.
enhanceTV has been developed by Screenrights to help teachers get the most out of their Screenrights licence. The site not only contains online program guides, it can also lead to you to a wealth of other teaching material, such as study guides, special features and useful www sites. Visit enhanceTV now.
Can I get copies of programs previously broadcast if I forgot to tape them?
If you missed taping a program, check to see if the broadcaster has made it available for download (eg. podcast) on their network website. Or, you may:
EnhanceTV offers Screenrights copies of many television programs for sale, including the removal of advertisements.
QUT routinely records most prime-time programs broadcast in Brisbane, and these are held for 28 days. Many programs are catalogued into the QUT Library. QUT (or any other university with a Screenrights licence) can make a copy for you, on a cost-recovery basis, of any Screenrights recordings they have. These must be labelled as a CQUniversity recording and reported during sampling periods.
SA Tape Services has a particular licence that allows it to copy programs for distribution to other licences educational institutions.
