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Memorandum to Schools 81/2007

20 August 2007

Clarification re: Copyright for Top Designs VCE Season of Excellence

This memorandum seeks to clarify copyright issues for teachers and students submitting Visual Communication and Design work for the Top Designs exhibition in 2008.

Student work produced and submitted for school assessment does not contravene copyright legislation. However, once works are displayed in the public domain their legal status changes and copyright clearance on any non-original material is required.

Application forms for Top Designs appeared in the August 2007 VCAA Bulletin No.51, pages 11–14.

The application form for Visual Communication and Design states that:

Screen-based works (multimedia) containing non-original material (including music, logos) needs to be accompanied by documentation showing that copyright clearance has been obtained. Works without appropriate documentation cannot be considered.

The advice on the application form addresses only multimedia work. It should have included all 2-D and 3-D material submitted for Top Designs. This is consistent with the advice given for Unit 4, Outcome 1, published on page 34 of Supplement 2 of the February 2007 VCAA Bulletin No.45.

The VCAA advises that students planning to submit to Top Designs should secure permission to use copyright material, such as logos, company names or products where appropriate. Documentation showing that copyright clearance has been obtained for the use of copyright material for the period 1 April – 30 July 2008 must accompany applications, which are due on 18 October 2007.

In Top Designs 2008 a number of exhibited works referred to real companies, the Make a Wish Foundation and Ikea for example. Copyright clearance was sought and provided for the exhibition period without the companies charging a fee. However, another student, who used non-original music on a multimedia presentation, had to pay a considerable fee for use of the track during the exhibition.

Seeking copyright clearance can be can be a lengthy process. Advice on seeking copyright clearance with examples of letters can be found at: http://www.education.vic.gov.au/management/
governance/copyright/resources/schools.htm

Further information on copyright can be found at: http://www.copyright.org.au/

CONTACTS

For further information please contact the Season of Excellence office on (03) 9651 4347 or (03) 9651 4582 or Michele Davies, Curriculum Manager, Visual Arts on (03) 9651 4451.

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