# Copyright at UNSW

**Source**: https://subjectguides.library.unsw.edu.au/copyright/plagiarism_contract_cheating
**Parent**: https://subjectguides.library.unsw.edu.au/libraryservicemodel/readytouse

Plagiarism occurs when someone else's material or ideas are presented as your own, whether it is intentional or not. Plagiarism can occur in written work, presentations, artworks or performances, and includes:

- copying
- inappropriate paraphrasing
- collusion
- relying too much on other people’s material
- inappropriate citation
- self-plagiarising

For more information, please see [Common forms of plagiarism](https://www.unsw.edu.au/student/managing-your-studies/academic-skills-support/toolkit/plagiarism).

To avoid unintentional plagiarism and maintain good academic practice, it’s important to develop academic writing skills, such as:

- using the knowledge gained through your research to form your own opinions in your own words
- acknowledging the original author of any ideas or content that you quote, summarise or paraphrase
- referencing sources in the appropriate referencing style, such as Harvard, APA or AGLC

For more information, please see [The path to avoiding plagiarism](https://www.unsw.edu.au/student/managing-your-studies/academic-skills-support/toolkit/plagiarism) and [referencing](http://subjectguides.library.unsw.edu.au/elise/referencing).

Plagiarism is a serious breath of ethics at UNSW and is not taken lightly. There are serious consequences for students who engage in plagiarism. For more information, see the [Code of Conduct and Values](https://www.unsw.edu.au/governance/policy/policy-hub/codeofconductandvalues) and [Complaints Management and Investigations Policy & Procedure](https://www.unsw.edu.au/governance/policy/browse-a-z#search=complaints%20management&sort=relevance&startRank=1&numRanks=0&componentId=66326238-d80e-486d-be52-e7b09bf577f5).