Copyright Ownership Quiz

Who is usually the first copyright owner according to the general rule?

• The person who buys the material

• The 'author' who creates the work

• The person who sells the material

• The person who prints the material

What does the Copyright Act 1968 specify about the ownership of copyright when there is an agreement?

• The agreement has no impact on copyright ownership

• The physical owner of the item is the copyright owner

• The agreement specifying ownership takes precedence

• The creator of the material automatically retains copyright

Can copyright be jointly owned?

• No, copyright can only be owned by one individual or entity

• Yes, but only if the work is a text-based work

• Yes, when the work is produced by two or more authors and contributions cannot be distinguished

• No, copyright is always transferred to the publisher

What should one do to find the current copyright owner of a material?

• Contact the Australian Copyright Council directly

• Identify the first copyright owner and trace any transfers of title

• Look for the owner's name on the material

• Assume the publisher is the copyright owner

Where can one find in-depth guidance on the provisions of the Copyright Act set out in this fact sheet?

• In the Copyright Essentials book available for purchase

• On the Australian Copyright Council's main webpage

• In the Copyright Act 1968 document at the local library

• By contacting a lawyer specializing in copyright law

Under which condition might the general rule that the author is the first owner of copyright not apply?

• The author has signed a document transferring copyright ownership

• The author created the work on a public holiday

• The author is a freelancer who created the work as part of their usual activities

• The work is a piece of abstract art

What is required for an employee to be considered the first owner of copyright in works they create?

• The work must be created during normal working hours

• The work must be created as part of the duties the employee is employed to carry out

• The work must be created without any supervision

• The employee must be a freelancer

Which of the following statements is true regarding the ownership of copyright in works created by employees of newspaper and magazine proprietors before 1 May 1969?

• Copyright is owned solely by the journalist or photographer

• Copyright is divided between the employee and employer unless an agreement states otherwise

• Copyright is owned solely by the employer unless an agreement states otherwise

• Copyright does not apply to works created before 1 May 1969

Who owns the copyright for works produced by employed journalists and photographers on or after 1 May 1969 and before 30 July 1998, for purposes including publication in a newspaper or magazine?

• The journalist or photographer individually

• The newspaper or magazine proprietor

• The public domain

• The government

For photographs commissioned after 30 July 1998, who is generally considered the owner of copyright?

• The client, unless the photograph was commissioned for a private or domestic purpose

• The photographer, regardless of the purpose

• The publisher of the material where the photograph will be used

• The subject of the photograph