There are many faces to the issue of copyright, such as the illegal copying of software (piracy) which was addressed in the Computer Systems topic. However, in this topic we are concerned with how copyright relates to the publishing of a web site on the Internet. In this respect, we are concerned about the material available on the Internet. All material on the Internet is protected by copyright in the same way as material published in a book.

Although material on the Internet is in the public domain it does not mean that it is copyright-free. You should not assume that you are entitled to use (either print or download) material just because it is on the Internet. Some material currently on the Internet may already be breaking copyright.

Before using material you need to check if there is a statement about copyright on the web site. More web authors are now inserting copyright notices prominently on their pages to remind visitors that the work is not free for copying. These notices can include how you can use images in your site and any other requirements that have to be met to use these images. In a nutshell, you are not free to reproduce material unless you have specific permission from the author or creator of the material.

Copyright also applies to the information and ideas that are expressed on a web page. You can get information from a web site in the same way that you get information from a book. You do not break copyright if you use your own words to describe the information that you have learnt from visiting a web site. However, you may break copyright if you copy all or an important part of a web site.

Copyright applies to not only text content, but extends to graphics, such as buttons, backgrounds and interface design. It is not appropriate to ‘borrow’ a button from a web site that you like and then include it in your web page as your own - this is breaking copyright. You are only free to reproduce it when you have specific permission from the creator of the material.

The Australian Federal Police can bring criminal penalties against a person for serious infringements of copyright.  ( www.copyright.org.au   (online 18 Jul 01) Internet: copying from (Information Sheet G56))

There are also further points of interest with creating web sites and publishing them on the Internet.

If you do use material from another Web site, you will need to acknowledge its source. There is special provision in the Copyright Act for students to do this if the web site is a pretend site, created for class, as it can be argued that it is for the purpose of research or study. However, it is quite clear that it is not acceptable to publish this site onto the web. In this case, you will need to get permission from the copyright owner of the material being used.

Note that your assignment needs to refer back to Joe who runs a camera shop.

It is acceptable to link your web site to another web site or URL, so long as it is clear to the visitor that the link is to another site and not just another part of your site. This other site must open in a new window. If you use a logo or graphic to display this link you may need permission. In addition, there are guidelines about showing this new site in a frame as part of your web site. There is also specific reference about using music on your site.

Go to the site www.copyright.org.au  and view Information Sheet G56 and G57.

Use this source to prepare a report of 100-150 words on copyright.

Note:  You need to write in your own words.  Plagiarized material will not be accepted.