During their study, students use the works made by others: prescribed or compulsory literature, journal articles, book chapters, datasets, photos, videos, images, or other materials. Copyright indicates within which framework students may use the works of others.
Important in this regard is article 15a of the Dutch copyright law: the right to quote. The right to quote includes both text, images, audio- and video fragments. Works may be quoted when:
- The quoted work was made public lawfully;
- The quote serves to support the content of your work. It is not for embellishment;
- Nothing more is quoted than strictly necessary. Images may be quoted in their entirety;
- No changes have been made in the quoted work;
- The quoted source is clearly stated.
Students also actively create works: a thesis, a report, a work of art. Copyright indicates the student’s rights as the creator of the work. As maker, the student has the right to make the work public and to reproduce it, and to oppose its publication or reproduction without the student's permission. Of course, the aforementioned right to quote also applies to the work created.
Here you will find several frequently asked questions by students concerning copyright. If your question is not included, contact the Copyright Information Point via copyright@eur.nl