Copyright and intellectual property rights (IPR)
Do you want to use extracts from somebody else’s work in a resource intended for publication on an LTS website? If so, you may have to get permission from the copyright owner of the work. Find out how to apply for clearance.
What sort of materials are copyright protected?
Materials protected by copyright include: books, photographs, songs, films, software.and other materials such as resources on websites, multimedia and children's artwork.
Materials sourced from the internet or from CD-ROMs
Materials on the internet are protected in the same way as materials in any other media. If you have sourced images or other materials from the internet, from applications packages (such as Microsoft Office) or from a CD-ROM, you should check whether you are free to use these materials.
- A CD-ROM will have information about what is covered by the licence.
- Many websites will have a page that provides information about the terms and conditions for using their resources.
Materials embedded in multimedia documents and video/audio
This advice does not apply only to content published directly on a web page. You may also need to obtain copyright clearance for extracts/objects you have embedded in a multimedia resource to be published as a downloadable file on a website, for example:
- images (such as clip art) used in Word documents or PowerPoint slides
- background music in video clips.
Children's work (including artwork)
Permission must be sought when using artwork in any of Learning and Teaching Scotland’s work. This includes using children’s artwork to illustrate websites, publications, and other resources and presentations.
If you are not sure whether you need to obtain copyright clearance to use a particular object or resource, please seek further advice.
LTS employees should contact Tegwen Wallace or Jenni Whitelaw.
External contractors:, please email us on WebStandardsEnquiries@LTScotland.org.uk.
