Q. Can you explain what copyright restrictions there are on the Library's materials?

The Library holds a range of copyright materials in its collections and restrictions and permissions will vary by content type and format, how you intend to use it and for what purpose, as well as terms and conditions of any applicable licences. 

As a rule, you should only use University library resources for your personal, private study or for educational use in connection with your course of study. Permissions and licences held by the Library and University to support teaching and learning activities, don't extend to use for commercial purposes at a workplace, for example, or family members.

Staff and students who are registered at the University can copy materials from books and journals in our collections for educational purposes under the University's Higher Education Copyright Licence. This is generally one chapter from an electronic or print book or up to 10% of extracts, or 1 article from an electronic or print journal issue. Notices are displayed next to photocopying machines and can be viewed here.

For Open Access materials which are available on a publisher website, these can mostly be copied freely as fees will have been paid to make them permanently available to anyone, anywhere in the world. 

Fair dealing statutory exceptions to copyright may cover some limited uses and purposes, for example, when setting, sitting or marking assessments or examinations for which licensing would be impracticable. Those working on research, will also be able to use the fair dealing exception covering quotation, which will usually be an insubstantial portion of the work, and only the amount necessary for the purpose covered by the exception. Further use, sharing or publication is not normally allowed without the copyright owner's advance permission.

When using any copyright works, it is good practice to retain only for as long as it is needed, although it is not normally required that you delete or destroy copies made. However, copies should not be transferred, sold or otherwise distributed, except where authorised by the copyright owner, or an Act of Parliament. 

The Brunel University London network is monitored. Actions may be recorded and logged. Resource providers also monitor and log use of their resources. Fraudulent or unauthorised use of resources may lead to police investigation and subsequent civil or criminal proceedings. For some materials the amount you can copy may be restricted or controlled by technical protection measures. Users should not attempt to bypass these, as doing so is a criminal offence under UK and EU law. 

Library users found to be in breach of licence agreements will be will be subject to appropriate disciplinary procedures as detailed in the Library Rules, Brunel Acceptable Computer Use Policy and relevant regulations as applicable to staff and students.