Copyright Toolkit: a new, free resource for the education sector

New online Copyright Toolkit to help staff in the education sector understand copyright issues surrounding use of multimedia in learning environments

Bath, 16 September 2008 Eduserv would like to announce the launch of a brand new online resource that aims to help people in the education sector who use digital resources such as audio, images and videos, understand the copyright issues involved.

The Copyright Toolkit (www.copyrighttoolkit.com) is free to use, and includes helpful background information about copyright law and a set of interactive exercises to help people understand the underlying principles behind the legal requirements.

Aimed at lecturers, librarians, sound and vision technicians and those who negotiate for use of third party copyright resources, it is primarily designed as a resource for private study but elements, such as the video podcast, would also be useful for staff training seminars.

The Copyright Toolkit was created by Copy-Right Consultants, a consulting group with a strong background in copyright and IPR gained at the Open University. The project has been funded by Eduserv, a not-for-profit IT services organisation which provides sustainable, shared IT services and funds research and development in order to realise the benefits of ICT for learning and research.

The Toolkit has been independently evaluated by Andrew Charlesworth, Director of Centre for IT and Law, University of Bristol who said, “For academics seeking to utilise the digital learning environment effectively, the Toolkit provides a welcome introduction to the law of copyright, and the practicalities of the rights clearance process. In particular, the podcast is a ‘must-watch’ - not just for academics who want to use copyrighted works in their teaching, but also for senior management responsible for providing effective rights clearance mechanisms in their institutions.”

Andy Powell, Head of Development at Eduserv commented: “Eduserv funds a number of major research projects every year to promote use of ICT for learning and research. The Copyright Toolkit will help academic staff to make more effective use of digital resources and Eduserv is delighted to be supporting it”.

The Copyright Toolkit is available at (http://copyrighttoolkit.com/) and has been published under a Creative Commons licence.

Free event to accompany the toolkit

Eduserv will be organising a free event in Bristol on Tuesday 4th November which will include an introduction to Copyright Law and guidance about how to use the Toolkit. For more details about this event and to register please visit www.eduserv.org.uk/foundation/events.

Notes to Editors

About Eduserv

Eduserv is a not-for-profit IT services group with the mission to realise the benefits of IT for learning and research. Eduserv achieves its charitable mission through the provision of sustainable IT services and funding research and development. Services include:-

Secure access to online resources (Athens and OpenAthens)
Licence negotiation and management – (Chest)
Managed web hosting
Content management (CMS) and web development

For more information about Eduserv please contact:

Andrew Tavener
Marketing Communications Manager
Tel: +44 (0)1225 474300
Email: andrew.tavener@eduserv.org.uk

About Copy-Right Consultants

Copy-Right Consultants Limited was founded by directors Bernadette Attwell and Alma Hales. They offer practical advice on copyright/rights across all media with an emphasis on the educational sector. Services include:-

advice on protecting your assets
bespoke workshops
help with clearance issues

Bernadette Attwell has a post-graduate diploma in UK and European Law of Copyright and Related Rights and worked for many years at The Open University as Deputy Head of IP. She is currently copyright consultant on the Open University OpenLearn initiative. Bernadette is a highly regarded leader of copyright seminars for the educational, broadcast and multi-media industries.
Alma Hales is Rights Manager at the Open University, Milton Keynes, managing a team who have responsibility for clearing a wide range of third party content in a timely and cost effective way. Part of her remit is to provide policy for the OU and give expert copyright advice to faculties and project teams.