Using films and music for teaching

The University has several copyright licenses that allow music and films to be used for educational purposes. The following can be done under these licences:

  • The provision of copies of recorded music, either as downloads or via streaming services.
  • The recording or live performing of music, so that it can be included in live streams or lecture capture recordings.
  • The provision of copies of sheet music, either online or in hard copies (some limits apply) for students.
  • The showing of films or excerpts of films in class and as part of live streams.
  • The Copying of broadcast films, for inclusion in lecture capture recordings.
  • The provision of copies of broadcast films, either as downloads or via streaming services.
  • The provision of copies of other types of copyright material such as images and text, e.g. book chapters or journal articles, either online or in hard-copy, (some limits and conditions apply) to students.

The library also subscribes to a number of databases for sheet music, recorded music, film and images. There are several Library guides to help with the location of music, audio-visual materials and other library collections.

Performing music and other material in class

Live and recorded music can be performed in class. Other types of material such as films or images can also be shown in class. Material can be shown in part or in full. Some restrictions apply if the material must be reproduced for it to be shown in class, e.g. copying sheet music to provide students with a copy to perform in class or copying an image to include in PowerPoint slides.

Live streaming

Live and recorded music and films can be included in a live stream of a class. Other types of material such as images can also be included as part of the live stream.

Using Lecture Capture

If a lecture is being recorded via Lecture Capture and the lecture includes copyright material, such as music or films, it is not always possible to include the copyright material.

Different restrictions apply to different types of copyright material included in Lecture Capture. Images (e.g. included in PowerPoint slides) and recorded music (live performance or pre-recorded) can be included. Films can be included if they are a copy of a television broadcast. If the film is from another source, including it will depend on the type of film and/or how long the clip is. (Film sources, other than broadcasts include digital downloads, streamed films, DVDs and YouTube clips.) Due to the complexity of making films available via Lecture Capture, it is recommended that film clips are excluded by pausing the recording when the clip is shown and restarting once finished. Copies of the film can then be made available separately by linking (e.g. YouTube clips) or by providing library copies.

Please contact the Copyright Office if assistance is required when making films available, via Lecture Capture.

Extra information about using Lecture Capture, can be found in the Learning Mangement System pages.

Including music, films and other material in Lecture Capture

Copyright material can be included in Lecture Capture recordings however, different restrictions and limits apply to different types of copyright material. Images and recorded music (live performance or pre-recorded) can be included. However, the rules for including films in Lecture Capture are much more complex. Whole films or clips can be included if they are available from Kanopy or are copies from broadcasts. Please contact the Copyright Office if assistance is required for including films or film excerpts outside of these services.

Making music and other material available online

The following limits apply when making material available online or in hardcopy formats, such as handouts.

Print music

The Music Licence allows the use of printed or sheet music for the following purposes:

  • Physical or digital copying for educational purposes.
  • Physical or digital copying for the purposes of giving a performance at a University event.
  • Storing and providing access to digital copies for University staff and students via the LMS.

Using print music under the licence is subject to the following conditions:

  • Excess copies of sheet music cannot be made.
  • The licence only allows scores owned by The University to be copied. Borrowed scores, scores owned by staff or students or copies of scores cannot be used.
  • Alterations to lyrics or new arrangements to the music are not covered under the licence.
  • Copies can only be given to University staff and students.
  • Copies must be destroyed or taken offline when no longer required.
  • Copies must be labelled with the following information:

    Copy made pursuant to a licence between Universities Australia and AMCOS

    Title of work

    Composer

    Lyricist

    Arranger (if applicable)

Recorded music – streaming and downloading

The University has a range of options that allow for the streaming or downloading of musical works, such as the Naxos Music Library. More information can be found on the Media Collections for Fine Arts and Music Library Guide. Additionally, staff can include sound recordings (both musical and non-musical) from radio broadcasts, within teaching material.

Films – streaming and/or downloading

Films, TV shows and other video content can be made available online for students, subject to some conditions and limitations. Films may be available via Library databases or through streaming services, such as Kanopy.

Films or video clips are available via YouTube and Vimeo and films and videos, within the catch-up streaming services, such as iView or SBS On Demand. These services can also be linked to and shared via the LMS. If using clips from YouTube or Vimeo, check to make sure that the copies have been made legitimately available by the copyright owner.

Copies of films and other programs that have been broadcast on television can also be made available online to students. Broadcasts can be recorded and uploaded onto the LMS. For assistance, contact the Copyright Office.

Unfortunately, commercial DVDs or digital files cannot simply be made available on the LMS. Additionally, most popular culture streaming services only offer individual licences which may not be appropriate in an educational setting. If assistance is required for sourcing a commercially available film for educational use, please contact the Copyright Office.

Sourcing music or audio-visual content

Music can be sourced from Library databases (linked to only) or from CDs, LPs or other physical formats held in the Library or from a personal collection. Files downloaded from iTunes, Apple Music or similar online music sites (legitimate ones) can also be used. This usage is covered by the music licence the University has with the music industry. Linking to Spotify playlists or tracks is also allowed. However, students must create an account with Spotify which may raise privacy issues for students not wishing to join the service. Also, be aware that free accounts on Spotify are feature limited.

For assistance in sourcing music or audio-visual content, please contact the Copyright Office or the school or faculty's Subject Liaison Librarian.

Using music and other material in exams and tests

Copies of sheet music and recorded music, as well as other copyright material, can be made available to students as part of an exam or text question. See copying material for exams and test questions.

There are provisions within the Copyright Act that allow the University to reproduce copyright material for educational purposes under certain conditions. Educational purposes do not cover other activities of the University, such as research, marketing and promotion or engagement, such as public lectures. The Copyright Act provisions include the statutory licence which covers the reproduction or communication of textual material, sheet music, images and TV and radio broadcasts. The licence allows copyright material to be made available to students as class handouts or via email as well as online on the LMS via Readings Online (text and images) and streaming services (broadcasts). There are additional provisions in the Act that allow copyright material to be performed in class and included in Exams and Tests. The statutory licence covers very limited use of music, so the University also has a licence with the Australian music industry for the use of recorded music for educational purposes.

For more information about the University’s copyright licences, see the statutory licence for educational purposes.