# Copyright at UNSW

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

UNSW students generally own copyright in their own works, including UNSW postgraduate students’ research theses. There are exceptions to these rules, and they can be found in the [UNSW intellectual property policy](https://www.unsw.edu.au/governance/policy/browse-a-z#search=intellectual%20property%20(ip)%20policy&sort=relevance&startRank=1&numRanks=0).

UNSW requires a [digital copy of HDR theses to be deposited](https://www.library.unsw.edu.au/research/publishing-and-sharing-your-research/depositing-your-thesis) into the University's open access institutional repository, UNSWorks. A HDR thesis that is made available online through UNSWorks will be made available to the public under a Creative Commons licence, in compliance with UNSW’s Open Access Policy.

When using third party copyright material, you must ensure that you comply with copyright law. UNSW HDR candidates must also comply with UNSW requirements, see [Higher Degree Research Examination Procedure](https://www.unsw.edu.au/governance/policy/browse-a-z#search=higher%20degree%20research%20examination%20procedure&sort=relevance&startRank=1&numRanks=0&componentId=66326238-d80e-486d-be52-e7b09bf577f5). Ensure no infringing materials are included in your thesis and obtain any necessary permissions in writing from the copyright owner for reproduction and communication of substantial third party copyright material before your thesis is submitted for examination. This permission is in addition to the normal academic practice of citing resources.

It is important for HDR candidates to carefully consider what third party copyright material they include in their thesis and allow time to obtain permission from copyright owners, if required. As part of the depositing process, you must also declare that you have obtained permission for third party copyright materials within your thesis.

Under the [fair dealing provision for research or study](https://subjectguides.library.unsw.edu.au/copyright/fair_dealing), within the Copyright Act, a reasonable portion of third party copyright material can be used while researching and writing your thesis, such as quotes, tables, photographs, illustrations or diagrams.

Generally, third party copyright material may be included in a publication or material that will be made public without the copyright owner's permission if:

- Copyright has expired
- A fair dealing exception covers the use
- An insubstantial portion is used
- The material has a licence to allow for re-use

If unsure, obtain written permission from the copyright holder.

For more information about thesis examination processes and thesis submission for all higher degree research programs at UNSW, see [Thesis Submission & Examination](https://unsw.sharepoint.com/sites/unswhdr/SitePages/Menu/HDRExamination.aspx?xsdata=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%3D&sdata=RlVoSzVpWHRmRFNSbGoxamFSeVZDczJneld0U0JHL2VVT2lsMU5pSisvTT0%3D&ovuser=3ff6cfa4-e715-48db-b8e1-0867b9f9fba3%2Cz3514324%40ad.unsw.edu.au&OR=Teams-HL&CT=1758172411022&clickparams=eyJBcHBOYW1lIjoiVGVhbXMtRGVza3RvcCIsIkFwcFZlcnNpb24iOiI0OS8yNTA4MjgxNzkxMiIsIkhhc0ZlZGVyYXRlZFVzZXIiOmZhbHNlfQ%3D%3D).