Copyright Matters for School Libraries

Copyright gives authors and creators exclusive ‘economic’ rights to exploit their works, for example to sell or copy them, as well as moral rights, such as to be named as the author, or to object to changes. In most countries, it is possible to give away these rights to publishers or other rights managers. Yet copyright is neither eternal nor universal. It is a temporary right, usually lasting for the life of the author plus a number of years. There are also legal flexibilities in copyright, known as limitations and exceptions, which are intended to promote access to, and use of, works.