ADT Program Copyright - FAQ
Can I add my thesis to ADT, if I plan to have it published later?
Yes, you can as you retain full rights to use all or part of your thesis in future works such as journal articles, conference papers, or books. You only give the Library permission to include your thesis in the ADT database. This inclusion does not constitute its first publication and it is not commercial.
Can I add my thesis to ADT, if parts of it have been previously published?
Yes, you can; however, you may need to request permission from the relevant publisher. Publishers' policies in relation to Internet archiving (e.g. ADT database) vary widely. SHERPA and ROMEO list the general policies of a wide range of publishers with reference to Internet archiving. Authors may also apply individually for exemptions to established policies. If you need to approach a publisher for permission, you can use our permission form* available in either Rich Text format (for Word and other word processing applications on either PC's or Mac's) or Adobe PDF format. So far any publishers approached about this issue have been very accommodating. In the permission form you will need to include details of the relevant copyrighted part/s of your thesis, your details and your thesis details. The permission form can be sent either electronically or by post. If by post, the form must be signed by the relevant copyright holder. In the examples, the information you will need to include has been shown in red.
- Example showing the type of information that is needed when requesting permission
- Example of a finished Permission form containing all the relevant details
Can I add my thesis to ADT, if it includes other people's material?
Yes, but sometimes it can be problematic. If your thesis contains any material that originated from another person or body, the copyright of that material resides with the other person or body. Examples of such materials are photos that you didn't take, poems that you didn't write, graphics that you didn't create, etc. If your thesis contains that kind of material, you will need to contact the copyright holder to request permission to include their material in your online version. If your source was electronic, the site you have obtained material from may include copyright information. In the case of print sources, copyright information may be found on the relevant publisher's web site. If you need to obtain permission, you can use our standard copyright permission form* in either Rich Text format (for Word and other word processing applications on either PC's or Mac's) or Adobe PDF format. In the permission form you will need to include details of the relevant copyrighted work/s, your details and your thesis details. The copyright permission form can be sent either electronically or by post. If by post, the form must be signed by the relevant copyright holder. In the examples, the information you will need to include has been shown in red.
- Example showing the type of information that is needed when requesting copyright permission
- Example of a finished Copyright Permission form containing all the relevant details
What is copyright?
Generally, copyright refers to the exclusive right of authors to reproduce, publish, communicate, or make an adaptation of their own works. Third party copyright refers to the rights of those authors whose material has been included in another author's work. As an example, research students may wish to include reproductions of paintings, photographs, graphical material, pieces of music, or video clips authored by another person as part of their theses. In all these cases, if the thesis author wishes to add their thesis to the ADT database, the issue of 3rd party copyright will need to be addressed.
What is fair dealing?
The Copyright Act fair dealing provisions allow for the inclusion of other authors' work for research purposes in unpublished materials such as theses. The fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act do not apply to Internet archiving and permission must be sought from the copyright owner/s to make their works/s available online.]
Further questions?
If you have further queries on copyright contact the ADT Team at the La Trobe University Library.
Acknowledgement
*Adapted from a request form produced by the Queensland University of Technology