Which of the following best defines copyright?

a) The right to use any material for educational purposes
b) The exclusive legal right of the creator to reproduce, publish, or distribute their work
c) The ability to use ideas freely
d) The right to register patents

• Answer: b

Under Australian law, when does copyright protection begin?

a) Only after registration
b) Automatically when the work is created
c) After publication in a journal
d) When the author applies to IP Australia

• Answer: b

How long does copyright last in Australia for literary works?

a) 25 years from publication
b) 50 years from creation
c) 70 years after the author’s death
d) Indefinitely

• Answer: c

Who typically holds copyright in academic works created by staff at Western Sydney University?

a) The publisher
b) The University, in accordance with its Intellectual Property Policy
c) The government
d) The student audience

• Answer: b

Task:
Read the paragraph below and answer the questions that follow.

Creative Commons licences operate within copyright law and allow creators to specify how others may copy, share or adapt their work. A CC licence does not replace copyright but provides a clear set of permissions that reuse must follow.

Questions:

1. In your own words, what problem does Creative Commons aim to solve for creators? 

Creative Commons helps creators share their work more easily by providing standard, preset permissions. This avoids the need to negotiate individual permissions or legal agreements for every reuse.

2. How does Creative Commons simplify reuse for users?

Users immediately know what they can do with the work because the licence clearly states whether they can copy, share, adapt or use it commercially. No extra permission is needed unless they want to exceed the licence terms.

3. Why do CC licences rely on copyright to function?

Creative Commons licences grant permissions under copyright law. They only work because copyright gives creators exclusive rights, which they can then choose to license under Creative Commons terms. The licence lasts as long as the underlying copyright.

Scenario:

A colleague wants to share their lecture slides publicly.

Task:

Advise your colleague on the following:

1. What steps should they take before choosing a Creative Commons licence?
2. How Creative Commons may help them share their work more widely.

Answers

Answers will vary. A well-developed response should:

• Mention benefits (reuse, flexibility, transparency, reach)

• Acknowledge limitations (NC ambiguity, SA requirements, ND restrictions)

• Connect to Western Sydney University teaching or publishing contexts

• Demonstrate an understanding of how CC supports lawful reuse.

1. Which of the following is a key benefit of using a Creative Commons licence?

a) It prevents others from sharing the work
b) It removes all copyright from the work
c) It allows others to distribute the work freely
d) It requires users to pay for permission each time

• Answer: c

Explanation: The chapter states that Creative Commons licences allow others to distribute the work freely, which increases circulation and visibility. The video reinforces this idea by describing Creative Commons as a tool that supports sharing.

2. Why does using a Creative Commons licence reduce the need for permission requests?

a) Because the work automatically enters the public domain
b) Because the licence clearly states what users are allowed to do
c) Because copyright no longer applies
d) Because only the creator may use the work

• Answer: c

Explanation: The chapter explains that Creative Commons licences reduce or eliminate the need for permission because they clearly state what users can do. The video highlights this by asking practical questions such as “Can I reproduce it? Can I copy it?”

3. Creative Commons licences support the continuous improvement of works because they:

a) Stop others from modifying the work
b) Encourage others to enhance or adapt the work
c) Limit works to personal use only
d) Prohibit translations and derivative works

• Answer: b

Explanation: The chapter identifies improvement and value-adding as a benefit, and the video describes how people remix photos, create new versions, and build new cultural works under Creative Commons terms.

4. Which of the following best describes how Creative Commons supports cultural participation?

a) By restricting cross-border use of creative works
b) By enabling only commercial organisations to reuse content
c) By allowing global communities to build upon shared works
d) By keeping culture tied to one geographical region

• Answer: c

Explanation: The video describes Creative Commons as enabling cross-country sharing, allowing someone in Delhi or New York to use a work created elsewhere. This supports a shared, participatory culture.

5. How do Creative Commons licences help creators maintain control of their work while sharing it?

A. They force creators to give up copyright
B. They allow creators to choose the conditions for reuse
C. They remove the need for attribution
D. They require all works to be commercial only

• Answer: b

Explanation: Both the chapter and video state that creators own their copyright and can choose the freedoms they want to grant, such as non-commercial use or conditions on derivative works.

6. Why are Creative Commons licences helpful in reducing legal and administrative barriers?

A. They require detailed legal negotiations each time
B. They restrict the creation of new works
C. They provide simple, standardised permissions
D. They prevent others from accessing the work

• Answer: c

Explanation: The video explains that the law can hinder creativity, and Creative Commons aims to simplify permissions. The chapter reinforces this by noting that Creative Commons reduces the need for time-consuming permission requests.

7. Which of the following describes a benefit of Creative Commons for educators and students?

A. They must seek permission for every use of a work
B. They can copy, share, and reuse materials within the terms of the licence
C. They may only use Creative Commons materials in printed form
D. They must pay an annual subscription to access Creative Commons works

• Answer: b

Explanation: The chapter specifically highlights that Creative Commons licences make reuse easier for educators and students, allowing copying, sharing, and sometimes adapting material without additional permissions.

8. How do Creative Commons licences contribute to the creation of new works, such as translations or adaptations?

A. They forbid modification of any kind
B. They allow only the original creator to make changes
C. They permit users to create new works from the original within licence terms
D. They restrict all reuse to the original format

• Answer: c

Explanation: The chapter lists adaptations, translations, and new works with different scopes as clear benefits. The video reinforces this with examples such as mash-ups, remixes, and new versions created from shared works.

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