Why you need permission

If you’re using or changing materials protected by copyright, you need to get permission to do so. This is because the creator or owner of copyright has control over their work. They can decide whether or not they want to give permission, and what conditions they want to set. By getting permission and agreeing conditions you avoid infringing legal rights, and also ensure creators get paid for their work.

So, you may be infringing copyright if you do any of the following without paying or having permission (the list is not exhaustive):

• download films from the internet
• make copies of DVDs
• download images from the internet and use them on your website
• perform live or playing recorded music in public
• photocopy and distribute parts of a book, newspaper or magazine.

Ignoring copyright damages the creative industries

Every time somebody ignores copyright, the copyright holder is deprived of royalties (payment for use of their work). It goes without saying that if people don’t get paid for their work, the creative industries will struggle to exist and it will be harder for creators to get paid.