DCU Library header
DCU Library

Archives and Special Collections

Copyright Statement

Introduction

DCU Library’s Archives & Special Collections (A&SC) acquires, preserves, manages and provides access to research collections in line with international best practice. This Copyright Statement reflects our commitment to our users, communities, and university, and forms part of our ongoing effort to ensure our approach remains transparent.

 

Purpose and Scope

DCU Library is the home of nationally and culturally important unique and distinct collections, including archives. In line with DCU Library Strategy 2023-2028, our goal is to ensure that these collections support and drive research and learning, ensuring their discoverability, accessibility, and long-term preservation.

This Statement sets out the approach of DCU Library’s Archives & Special Collections (A&SC) to copyright in relation to its collections. It is intended to guide users in understanding their rights and responsibilities when accessing, using, or reproducing material. This Statement is informed by the Copyright and Related Rights Act, 2000 and applies to the consultation, copying, reproduction and reuse of physical and digital collections held by A&SC.

 

Relationship to Other Documents

This Copyright Statement should be read alongside the Reading Room Rules & Procedures, Data Protection Agreement, Personal Photography Agreement and Copy Request & Publication Request Form. Together, these documents set out the conditions governing access to, copying, reproduction and reuse of Archives & Special Collections material.

 

Copyright Status of Collections

DCU Library’s A&SC collections are subject to copyright under the Copyright and Related Rights Act, 2000. In many cases, copyright lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years, although different terms may apply depending on the type of work and the applicable legislation.

A&SC collections may include:

  • Material for which DCU owns or administers the copyright.
  • Material still in copyright and protected under law.
  • Material in the public domain (where copyright has expired).
     

Where A&SC holds orphan works, a diligent search will be carried out in accordance with S.I. No. 490/2014. A&SC will document searches as required and will apply a structured risk-management approach when providing access or reuse permissions for such materials.

Ownership of physical material does not necessarily include ownership of copyright. The transfer or deposit of archival or special collections into A&SC does not automatically transfer copyright to Dublin City University unless this has been expressly assigned or licensed.

 

Copying, Reproduction and Reuse

Requests for copies, digitisation, or permission to publish, exhibit, broadcast or otherwise publicly reuse collection material are managed through the Copy Request & Publication Request Form.  

While access to copyrighted material is permitted, copies can be made only for the purposes of research, teaching and private study in accordance with copyright legislation. 

Copies of material may be made in accordance with the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright and Related Rights Act, 2000. These provisions permit limited reproduction for purposes such as research, private study, criticism or review, education, and specific library and archival activities. Users are responsible for ensuring that their intended use falls within a permitted statutory exception or is otherwise authorised by the rights holder. Any other copying, including but not limited to uses such as publication, online dissemination, public display, broadcast, or commercial reuse may require the permission of the copyright holder.

 

Digital Access and Use

Digital collections will be made accessible through A&SC’s Archives Catalogue (AtoM), DCU Library’s website and digital repository and other DCU platforms. 

Digital access to collections under copyright will only be provided:

  • In accordance with the provisions of the Copyright and Related Rights Act, 2000.
  • With explicit permission from the rights holder.

In some cases, copyright restrictions may require that access be provided through controlled onsite systems. A&SC will also support remote access to our collections wherever possible. Low resolution digital copies of items may be provided to users on request for private research and study. 

A&SC may also facilitate high resolution digitisation of items required for publication.

Online access to digitised collections may be restricted where DCU does not own or administer the copyright in those collections. 

Digital access may include measures such as restricted downloading, watermarking, or other access controls to protect copyright-protected content. Users may not remove, alter, or circumvent any technical protection measures applied to digital materials, in accordance with EU anti-circumvention legislation.

 

Use of DCU-Owned Copyright Content

Where DCU owns and administers the copyright in collections, our approach is to make content available for reuse on an open access basis subject to limitations on certain uses. Works will be released under a suitable open access licence only where DCU owns or controls the necessary rights and where donor agreements, third-party rights, or ethical considerations permit open licensing. 

A&SC will apply the most open licence compatible with these obligations. We currently apply a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) to reproductions supplied from both physical and digital holdings. This permits reuse with attribution but prohibits commercial use and the creation of derivative works.

Users are responsible for reviewing the licence attached to each work to ensure their intended use is permitted.

 

Responsibilities of Users

Access to certain material, whether onsite or through digital access platforms, may also be subject to additional terms of use set by DCU Library. By accessing A&SC materials, users agree to comply with both copyright law and any contractual terms governing access or reuse.

By accepting this Copyright Statement as part of the Archives & Special Collections Appointment Request Form, and by accessing or using A&SC materials, users agree to: 

  • Comply with copyright law and any licence terms associated with the material.
  • Use materials only for lawful purposes.
  • Seek permission where their intended use goes beyond what is allowed under legislation or licence.
  • Provide appropriate citation of A&SC materials and comply with any licence attached to the material, including Creative Commons licences, where applicable.
  • Users should also comply with the Reading Room Rules & Procedures, Personal Photography Agreement, and Copy Request & Publication Request Form, where applicable. 

Responsibility for the lawful and appropriate use of materials rests solely with the user. DCU Library accepts no liability for any misuse of material, including any infringement of copyright or other legal rights.

 

Copy Requests and Permissions 

Researchers wishing to obtain copies of material or permission to reproduce, publish, exhibit, broadcast or otherwise reuse material from A&SC collections must complete the Copy Request & Publication Request Form. 

DCU will assist in identifying rights where possible but cannot guarantee clearance for all materials. However, responsibility for obtaining any necessary permissions ultimately rests with the researcher or intended publisher. 

 

Compliance

Before consulting collection material, researchers must read and comply with this Copyright Statement.

Confirmation that you have read, understood and agree to comply with this Statement is provided through the Archives & Special Collections Appointment Request Form or, where applicable, before access to collection material is granted.

 

Review

This Statement will be reviewed periodically to reflect changes in legislation, library policy and A&SC operational practice.