Copyright Information
The State Library has provided information on copyright to help you better understand how you may use material that you find on our website or in our catalogues. Please contact us if you have any enquiries.
More general information about copyright can be found at the Australian Copyright Council website.
| Content on our website | Flickr Commons |
| Picture Queensland images | Music scores and sound recordings |
| Book cover images in our catalogues |
Content on our website
The State Library of Queensland supports and encourages the dissemination and exchange of information. However, the State Library of Queensland retains copyright over materials, including documents and graphics, in the State Library's web pages.You may use material on the State Library website for the purposes of private study, research and criticism and review. We ask that you to acknowledge and attribute any use of State Library's material.
No part of the website may be reproduced or reused for any commercial purpose whatsoever without written permission of the copyright holder. Enquiries about the use of material on the State Library of Queensland's website should be directed to:
Copyright Officer
State Library of Queensland
P.O. Box 3488
South Brisbane 4101
Australia
Fax: +61 7 3840 7873 (within Australia: 07 3840 7873)
Phone: +61 7 3840 7666 (within Australia: 07 3840 7666)
The Commons on Flickr
Images from the State Library’s collection that are part of The Commons [new window] on Flickr are marked ‘no known copyright restrictions’, indicating that the State Library is not aware of any current copyright restrictions on these works. This can be because the term of copyright may have expired, or because no evidence has been found that copyright restrictions apply.
The images shared as part of The Commons are for personal research and enjoyment. The State Library does not warrant that the use of the images shared on The Commons will not infringe upon the rights of third parties, as yet unknown, who may own rights to these works. It is the user’s responsibility to determine and satisfy copyright and other use restrictions that may apply to these works.
Any requests for information or enquiries about the use of State Library of Queensland's material should be directed to:
Copyright Officer
State Library of Queensland
P.O. Box 3488
South Brisbane 4101
Australia
Fax: +61 7 3840 7873 (within Australia: 07 3840 7873)
Phone: +61 7 3840 7666 (within Australia: 07 3840 7666)
Digitised music scores and sound recordings
Copying digitised music
Most of the digitised music scores in the State Library collection are out of copyright and you can print, copy or download them for private research or study purposes without asking for permission. This includes using a music score or part of a music score in a school assignment.
Music scores that are in copyright may not be printed, downloaded or copied without obtaining permission from the copyright holder.
Who owns copyright?
Digitised music scores
If the creator of a musical work died before 1 January 1955 and, and the published edition was first published more than 25 years ago, the music score is in the public domain.
Music scores that are in copyright may have copyrights held by the composer, the lyricist and the publisher. The State Library of Queensland negotiates an agreement with the copyright holders to enable the music score to be part of the digital collection.
If a music score is still in copyright then a notation indicating this will be included catalogue record of the score. In all cases where a music score is in copyright, permission to copy must be obtained from the copyright owner.
The responsibility to identify the copyright owner and to obtain permission to use the music score rests with the person who wishes to use the material. Staff from the Arts and Humanities team of the State Library of Queensland may be able to assist you.
Sound recordings
The sound recordings in the digital collections of the library are in copyright. You may listen to these recordings via the Internet but you may not download them to your computer.
How long does copyright last?
For many years copyright in musical works lasted the life of the creator plus 50 years from the end of the year of the creator’s death. However, as a result of AUSFTA (Australia US Free Trade Agreement) the period of protection for most material that was in copyright on 1 Jan 2005 was extended. Copyright now lasts 70 years from the end of the year in which the creator died.
As a general rule:-
- Copyright in musical works and lyrics lasts from the date of their creation until 70 years after the death of the creators of the musical work unless the creators died before 1 Jan 1955. If this is the case, the work is out of copyright.
- Where lyrics are translated or music is arranged or adapted, there is likely to be a separate copyright in the translation or arrangement. Copyright in these lasts until 70 years after the death of the translator or arranger unless the translation or arrangement was made before 1 Jan 1955. If this is the case, the translation or arrangement is out of copyright.
- Another copyright exists in what is known as the 'published edition'. Copyright in published editions lasts for 25 years from the date of publication. This copyright may still be active even when copyright in the music, lyrics and arrangement have all expired.
- Copyright on sound recordings lasts 70 years from the end of the calendar year of first release unless the recording was made before 1 Jan 1955. If this is the case, the sound recording is out of copyright.
Moral rights
The Copyright Amendment (Moral Rights) Act 2000 [new window] amended the Copyright Act 1968 [new window] by providing two new ‘moral rights’ for individual creators:
- the right to be attributed correctly in relation to a work (ie. The composer must be named as the creator of the work)
- and the right of integrity of authorship (ie. the work should not be treated in a derogatory manner).
The above information is a guide only and does not constitute legal advice. Current advice can be obtained from the Australian Copyright Council [new window] or The Australian Performing Rights Association [new window]
Picture Queensland images
Copying pictures
From the Internet for personal use
You can print, copy or download a Picture Queensland image for private research or study purposes without asking for permission. This includes using an image in a school assignment. Please provide a proper citation acknowledging the State Library of Queensland on any image that you copy. We appreciate hearing about how you are using our images. Our "Your say" form makes it easy to contact us.
Copies of high quality photographic prints or digital images
The State Library of Queensland offers a quality photographic service that can be used by clients wanting a higher quality image than can be printed or downloaded from the Picture Queensland database. Supply of these copies is made upon the completion of a Photographic Request and Declaration Form and the payment of any fees.
Who owns copyright?
Many of the images in the Picture Queensland database are out of copyright. They were taken before 1955 and the copyright has lapsed. Where this has occurred the images are in the public domain and copyright clearance is unnecessary.
If an image is still in copyright then a notation indicating this will be included in the rights field of the Picture Queensland catalogue record. In all cases where an image is still in copyright, permission to copy must be obtained from the copyright owner.
The responsibility to identify the copyright owner and to obtain permission to use the image, rests with the person who wishes to use the image. The State Library's Heritage Collections staff may be able to assist in this matter provided that the State Library holds the relevant documentation.
For current advice contact the Australian Copyright Council [new window].
How long does copyright last?
Copyright in photographs taken before January 1st 1955 has expired. Otherwise, the copyright in photographs lasts for the life of the creator plus 70 years. If a photographs was first published anonymously or using a pseudonym, then the copyright lasts from the date first published plus 70 years.
Moral rights
The Copyright Amendment (Moral Rights) Act 2000 [new window]amended the Copyright Act 1968 [new window] by providing two new ‘moral rights’ for individual creators:
- the right to be attributed correctly in relation to a work (ie. The composer must be named as the creator of the work)
- and the right of integrity of authorship (ie. the work should not be treated in a derogatory manner).
The above information is a guide only and does not constitute legal advice. Current advice can be obtained from the Australian Copyright Council [new window].
Book cover images on the One Search catalogue
Images of books or other publications included on the One Search catalogue are displayed via an external link to Syndetic Solutions, a catalogue enrichment service provided by Bowker. All rights in such images are reserved by the original copyright owners.
If you want to use these images you must contact the copyright owner for permission. Please contact Syndetic Solutions for assistance.
Australian Business Number
The State Library of Queensland's ABN is 45 872 652 679
Last updated: 16th October 2009
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