Copyright

Pay attention to Copyright

Pay attention to Copyright

Copyright matters because it protects the rights of authors, publishers, and creators. In ELT publishing, writers should use original, licensed, or public-domain material and check permissions carefully before including any external content.

◎Aim

To ensure all materials respect intellectual property rights and use only legally permissible or original content. Writers are responsible for ensuring that any external materials are used legally, ethically, and appropriately.

1Texts & Written Material

  • All texts created for tasks (emails, reports, dialogues, fact files) must be original.
  • Short authentic texts may be used only if they are:
  • In the public domain.
  • Published under the appropriate Creative Commons licence.
  • Used with explicit written permission from the rights holder.
  • Do not copy or adapt copyrighted news articles, blogs, or corporate documents without permission.
  • If paraphrasing authentic material, ensure it is sufficiently transformed into new wording.

2Images & Visuals

  • Use licensed stock images.
  • Use images released under appropriate Creative Commons licences.
  • Use original images created for the material.
  • Always check the licence terms.
  • Never take images from Google Images or social media without checking permissions.
  • Provide credits if required by the licence.
  • Use clear AI labeling if images are generated by an AI tool.

3Audio & Video

  • All listening/audio scripts must be writer-generated or produced in-house.
  • Do not use clips from copyrighted films, songs, or broadcasts.
  • Music, sound effects, or stock video must come from licensed or royalty-free libraries.

4Data, Statistics & Graphs

  • If referencing real data, include a source citation.
  • Use only data from publicly available and reliable sources.
  • For tasks, it is often preferable to create fictional but realistic data to avoid permissions issues.

5Company Names & Brands

  • Real company and brand names may be used only under fair use.
  • References must be factual, neutral, and verifiable.
  • For role plays, case studies, or practice tasks, use fictional company names.

6Referencing Sources

  • Always provide the full source of any authentic material used.
  • Format: Author/Organisation, Title, Source, Date.
  • Example: OECD, “Global Employment Outlook 2023,” OECD Publishing, 2023.

7Dos and Don’ts

Do
  • Create original texts and dialogues whenever possible.
  • Check licences carefully before using external content.
  • Attribute sources correctly where required.
  • Use fictionalised data, names, and companies for practice activities.
Don’t
  • Copy/paste from online articles, company websites, or Wikipedia.
  • Use branded images without permission.
  • Assume “if it’s on the internet, it’s free.”
  • Use personal social media posts or photos without consent.

✓Key Takeaway

All content must be original, licensed, or public domain. Writers are responsible for verifying permissions and providing sources. When in doubt, create fictional but realistic content rather than risking copyright violations.