Copyright changes: What does it mean for you?

As either a technician or as a support staff you have hands-on responsibility often for both the access to, and the operation of technology involved in reproducing and communicating copyright materials.

No doubt you see everyday the increasing reliance by teaching staff on a multiplicity of sources for curriculum materials It might also be apparent to you that schools are moving towards using resources that are digital in both format and delivery.

This shift in school culture can result in pressures associated with sourcing curriculum materials. It certainly raises the stakes in terms of the legal responsibilities that you need to fulfil in your job role.

The implementation of copyright law has a direct impact on your job role. In the last two years copyright law has also undergone major reform, simply to keep pace with changes in how people are using information and the advances in communication technology.

You need to be clear about these reforms in copyright law and how it operates at a school level to meet your legal responsibilities.

The Copyright Aware website provides you with:

• a summary of the three areas of copyright change, to make you aware of the issues;
• what actions you need to take;
• a resource pack; and
• further information links.