Permitted uses of copyright works

You would not normally need to seek permission if you wish to use less than a substantial part of a copyright protected work. Additionally there are a number of exceptions in copyright law which allow limited use of copyright works without the permission of the copyright owner. These can be found in the copyright sections of the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 (as amended) (1.27Mb)

Please note that this list is not exhaustive and particular care should be taken if you intend to rely on an exception:

• Non-commercial research and private study
• Criticism, review and reporting current events
• Teaching in educational establishments
• Not for profit public playing of recorded music
• Helping visually impaired people
• Time shifting

Certain exceptions require you to give sufficient acknowledgment when making use of a copyright protected work.

It is not an infringement of the copyright in a work if you draw, take a photograph or make a film of, buildings or sculptures or works of artistic craftsmanship which are located in a public places or in premises open to the public.

Copyright is not infringed in any material when it is used in legal proceedings.