Do I need the Library's and the copyright owner's permission to copy?

Copying that does not need the Library's permission

If you copy items from the Library's collections without seeking any additional permission from us, you accept the responsibility to make sure you do not infringe copyright or moral rights, as set out on the Your Responsibilities page.

If you ask the Library to do the copying for you, you will be asked to complete paperwork that confirms that either the permission of the copyright owner has been obtained or no such permission is necessary (for instance because an exception applies).

For more details, please see What can I copy without the copyright owner's permission?

Copying that does need the Library's permission

In contrast, some collection items may have access restrictions that require permission from the Library before you copy them. This permission does not relate to any copyright in the item, but relates to collection management issues, such as the need to ensure that fragile items are handled with care, and that the Library is properly attributed for certain public uses.

We ask you to seek this permission for two reasons:

• So that we can secure your agreement to cite the creator and title of the rare or unique work you are copying, and to acknowledge the Library as the owner. That way, anyone who comes across your reproduction can trace the material back to the Library's collection.

Rare or unique works are often fragile or valuable. For this reason, the Library may not allow you to do the copying yourself. However, in such situations, Library staff may be able to make the copy for you. A fee may be payable to cover the Library's costs in doing so.

Copying digitised material from the Library's collections

You may find digital copies of items from the Library's collections, such as photographs or recorded interviews, through the Library's catalogue. Where this material is out of copyright it may be freely used provided the Library and the creator are acknowledged; however, the Library does not endorse any inappropriate or derogatory use.

Use of digital copies of in-copyright material requires a request for permission unless your use falls within one of the exceptions, such as research or study. You need to ask the Library's permission because a copyright owner may have allowed us to put a copy on our website but not allowed us to authorise uses beyond research or study. When you ask us for permission to copy the material, we will tell you whether copyright or any other restrictions apply.

Requests to copy digitised items from the Library catalogue need to be requested through our Copy Ordering Service. When you place an order through our copy ordering service, we will let you know if any copyright restrictions apply.

For information about permissions for reuse of items found on the State Library of Western Australia's website please see our Creative Commons page.