Universities licence
All Aotearoa New Zealand universities hold a copyright licence to help staff manage copyright compliance.
What’s covered
Materials you can copy:
- Printed books, journals, magazines, newspapers
- Scanned or digital versions of printed originals
- Overseas and local newspapers (digital and print)
How much you can copy:
- Up to 10% or one chapter of a book (whichever is greater)
- Up to 15 pages from collections where works may also be published separately, such as short stories or poetry anthologies.
- Complete magazine and journal articles (one per issue, more if on same subject)
- Newspaper articles (five per issue, from online or hard copy)
- Additional proportions available on request through MyCopyright
How you can share:
- Printed handouts and worksheets
- Interactive whiteboards and screens
- Password-protected learning management systems and class webpages
- Extension to non-EFTS learners (short course attendees) available through MyCopyright
Image: Unsplash
Why get a licence?
Legal compliance
A simple, cost-effective way to meet your copyright obligations.
Risk management
Licence holders are indemnified against legal action for copying within the licence terms.
Ethical use
Licensing ensures your organisation respects creative work and supports a fair system.
Free support
Access to copyright education materials, workshops for staff and students, and our helpdesk.
Support creators
Licence fees fund authors and publishers, including many Aotearoa creators.
Flexible extensions
Additional licence provisions available through MyCopyright for exceptional circumstances beyond standard terms. Additional fees apply.
Pricing
Pricing is based on your EFTS (Equivalent Full Time Students), making copyright compliance a predictable fixed cost.
Licences run January to December. Update your EFTS numbers at the beginning of each year.
Tools and support
Knowledge Base
Available to all tertiary staff and students. Submit questions to our helpdesk or ask us anything on the home page.
Flexible licence extensions
Available through MyCopyright for contemporary delivery needs including additional proportions of works, interloaned works and works in transit, selected digital works, and licensing for non-EFTS learners.
Free training
Copyright awareness materials, webinars, and live seminars. Contact our Creative Rights Educator to arrange.
Who this helps
Teaching staff – Access high-quality published material without administrative burden. Focus on delivering education and research, not chasing permissions.
Compliance administrators – Keep your university compliant with legal obligations. The licence complements other content licences, reduces risk, and includes legal indemnification.
Senior managers – Predictable EFTS-based fee structure covers a broad range of copyright material with simple, comprehensive terms.
Decision makers – Effective compliance tool with broad scope and predictable costs, letting administrators focus on strategic goals.
What’s not included
Our licence doesn’t cover material licenced by other collective management organisations in Aotearoa New Zealand, or open access arrangements. For international publications, our reciprocal agreements with overseas RROs apply.
There are exclusions to what can be copied under any licence.
Get in touch
To learn more about the Universities Licence, contact our Creative Rights Educator.
