COMP 3270 / Module 3 / Unit 9 / Lesson 1

Lesson 9.1 · Weeks 6 · Reading: Chapter 11

Copyright, Permission, Licensing, and Source Use

Distinguish copyright, ownership, access, permission, licensing, and attribution. Assess whether source content may be quoted, summarised, transformed, uploaded, or distributed—and identify when specialist review is required.

Estimated study time: 3–4 hours Prerequisite: Units 1–8 Module 3 · Week 6

Table of Contents

1. Lesson Overview

This lesson establishes the foundational concepts of copyright, ownership, permission, licensing, and attribution as they apply to using generative AI in academic, professional, and everyday contexts. You will learn why publicly accessible content is not automatically free to reuse, how to distinguish permission from acknowledgement, and how to assess whether source content may be quoted, transformed, uploaded, or redistributed.

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to identify the rights and permissions that govern a source, recognise when specialist advice is required, and make preliminary decisions about whether a proposed AI-supported use should proceed, be modified, or require additional review.

This lesson is the first of four in Unit 9. It prepares you for Lesson 9.2 (Human Authorship and Creative Contribution) and ultimately for Assignment 3 (Responsible AI Case Analysis).

⚖️ Copyright & integrity reminder: This lesson provides educational guidance, not legal advice. Copyright, licensing, and academic-integrity requirements vary by jurisdiction, institution, discipline, and context. When in doubt, consult the applicable policy or obtain qualified advice.

2. Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

  1. Define copyright, ownership, permission, licensing, attribution, and access in the context of generative-AI use.
  2. Distinguish access from ownership, and permission from attribution.
  3. Explain why publicly accessible content is not automatically free to reuse, upload, or transform.
  4. Identify common licence elements and conditions at an introductory level.
  5. Assess whether content may be quoted, summarised, transformed, uploaded, or distributed, and identify when permission or specialist advice is required.
  6. Apply a structured process to evaluate source rights, permissions, and licence conditions before using AI.
  7. Recognise that attribution alone does not establish permission, and permission does not eliminate applicable attribution requirements.

3. Before You Begin

4. Retrieval Practice

Before diving into new material, check your understanding of concepts from Units 3–8 that support this lesson.

Question 1: What is the purpose of the PROTECT framework, and how does it relate to handling source content?

Show answer and explanation

Answer: PROTECT is a framework for identifying privacy, security, and data-protection concerns. It guides users to assess what information they are handling, whether they are authorised to use it, and what safeguards are required.

Application: Before uploading source content to an AI system, PROTECT reminds you to consider whether the content is protected, confidential, or subject to access restrictions — and to stop if you lack authority.

Reference: Unit 8, PROTECT framework.

Question 2: According to the FAIRER framework, what does the “R” stand for, and how might it apply to source use?

Show answer and explanation

Answer: In FAIRER, the “R” stands for Representation (or in some versions, Rights and Representation). It concerns ensuring that diverse perspectives, communities, and rights-holders are fairly represented and that their rights are respected.

Application: When using source content, consider whether the creator or community is appropriately represented and whether their rights (including copyright and moral rights) are respected.

Reference: Unit 7, FAIRER framework.

Question 3: What does the SCOPE framework help you assess, and why is it relevant before you use a source in an AI system?

Show answer and explanation

Answer: SCOPE helps you assess the Suitability, Context, Ownership, Permissions, and Ethics of a proposed AI use. It is relevant because it prompts you to ask who owns the source, what permissions apply, and whether the use is ethically appropriate.

Application: Before uploading a source, SCOPE directs you to verify ownership and permission — core concerns of this lesson.

Reference: Unit 6, SCOPE framework.

5. Opening Scenario

📌 Scenario — The Photograph on the Public Website

A university student finds a striking photograph on a public website. The website does not display a copyright notice, and the student assumes that “publicly available” means “free to use.”

The student downloads the photograph, uploads it to an AI image-editing tool, modifies the colours and composition, and uses the modified image in a class presentation. The student credits the website in a small footnote: “Image adapted from [website URL].”

The student does not contact the photographer, check the website’s terms of service, or investigate whether the image is licensed for reuse.

Questions to consider:

  1. Does public availability create permission to download, modify, and reuse the photograph?
  2. Who may hold the rights to the photograph, and how would you find out?
  3. What licence or terms of service should the student have checked?
  4. Does the footnote attribution resolve the legal and integrity issues?
  5. What should the student do if the rights status is unclear?
Show guided analysis

1. Does public availability create permission?
No. Public availability means the content can be viewed or accessed, but it does not automatically authorise downloading, modification, uploading to an AI system, or redistribution. Permission must come from the rights holder or through an applicable licence or exception.

2. Who may hold the rights?
The photographer or their assignee typically holds copyright. In some cases, the website may hold a licence to display the image but not to sublicense it. The student should check the website’s terms, look for a copyright notice, and search for licence information (e.g., Creative Commons).

3. What licence or terms should be checked?
The student should review the website’s terms of service, any licensing information provided with the image, and any copyright management information. If the image is on a platform like Flickr, Unsplash, or Wikimedia Commons, the licence type (e.g., CC BY, CC BY-NC, Public Domain) must be verified.

4. Does the footnote attribution resolve the issues?
Attribution identifies the source but does not establish permission to modify or reuse. The student may have satisfied an attribution requirement if such a requirement existed, but the modification and upload still require authorisation.

5. What should the student do if the rights status is unclear?
The student should stop and not proceed until they have verified the licence, obtained permission, or confirmed that an exception applies. They should also consider using a source with a clearly stated licence or using a non-AI alternative.

6. Core Content

6.2 Ownership

Definition — Ownership

Ownership concerns who holds or controls the applicable rights in a work. Ownership may be held by the creator, an employer, a contractor, a publisher, or another party depending on agreements and applicable law.

Ownership can be affected by:

  • Employment: Works created within the scope of employment are often owned by the employer.
  • Contract: Agreements may assign ownership to a client or publisher.
  • Collaboration: Co-authors may share ownership.
  • Institutional policy: Universities and research institutions may have policies on intellectual property.
  • Jurisdiction: Different countries have different rules on ownership and moral rights.
Critical point: The person who possesses a copy of a work does not necessarily own the copyright. Buying a book does not give you the right to reproduce it.
Ownership in practice

Example: A university researcher creates a dataset and shares it on a public repository. The repository may allow access, but the researcher (or their institution) may retain ownership. Users must check the licence to determine what they can do with the data.

Question: Who owns the copyright in a photograph taken by a freelance photographer for a magazine?

Answer: Typically, the photographer owns the copyright unless the contract assigns ownership to the magazine. The magazine may hold a licence to publish the photograph, but not necessarily the full copyright.

6.3 Access

Definition — Access

Access means that a person can view, download, receive, or otherwise obtain content. Access does not necessarily authorise reproduction, adaptation, uploading, distribution, or commercial reuse.

Access may be provided through:

  • Public websites
  • Institutional subscriptions
  • Open-access repositories
  • Social media platforms
  • Library collections
  • Personal communications
Misconception: “Because I can access it, I can use it however I want.” Access is not ownership, and access does not grant permission for every type of use.
Access and AI systems

When you access content through a library database, your licence typically permits you to read, print, and download for personal research. It does not automatically permit you to upload the content to an AI system for processing or redistribution.

Question: If a student accesses a copyrighted article through their university library, can they upload the full text to an AI summarisation tool?

Answer: They should check the library’s licence terms, the publisher’s policy, and the AI tool’s terms. In many cases, uploading the full text may violate the licence. The student might instead summarise the article manually or use only a short excerpt.

6.4 Permission

Definition — Permission

Permission is authorisation from the relevant rights holder or governing authority for a specified use of a work.

Permission may be:

  • Express: Explicitly granted in writing or through a licence.
  • Implied: Suggested by the context (e.g., a website that explicitly invites sharing).
  • Limited: Restricted to certain purposes, audiences, territories, or durations.

Permission may be limited by:

  • Purpose (e.g., educational use only)
  • Medium (e.g., print only, not digital)
  • Audience (e.g., internal use only)
  • Territory (e.g., North America only)
  • Duration (e.g., one year)
  • Modification (e.g., no derivatives)
  • Commercial use (e.g., non-commercial only)
  • Attribution (e.g., must credit the creator)
  • Further distribution (e.g., no redistribution)
Do not assume: One permission does not cover all uses. Permission to quote a short excerpt does not permit uploading the entire work to an AI system.
Permission vs. attribution

Attribution identifies the source; permission authorises the use. They are distinct concepts.

  • Attribution does not create permission.
  • Permission does not eliminate attribution requirements.

Example: A student correctly cites a source (attribution) but uploads the full text to an AI system without permission. The attribution does not make the upload lawful.

6.5 Licensing

Definition — Licence

A licence establishes the conditions under which content may be used. It is a form of permission granted by the rights holder, often with specific terms.

Common licence elements include:

  • Permitted uses: What you may do with the work (e.g., reproduce, distribute, modify).
  • Attribution requirements: How to credit the creator.
  • Modification conditions: Whether derivatives are allowed and under what terms.
  • Commercial-use restrictions: Whether the work may be used for commercial purposes.
  • Share-alike conditions: Whether derivatives must be licensed under the same terms.
  • Platform conditions: Additional terms imposed by the hosting platform.
  • Duration: How long the licence applies.
  • Territory: Geographical scope.
  • Termination: Circumstances under which the licence ends.

Examples of licence types (for educational reference only):

  • Creative Commons (CC): A family of standardised licences with combinations of attribution (BY), non-commercial (NC), no derivatives (ND), and share-alike (SA) conditions.
  • Open-source software licences: Such as MIT, GPL, and Apache, which govern software use and modification.
  • Proprietary licences: Custom terms set by the rights holder, often restrictive.
  • Public domain: Works that are not protected by copyright or for which the copyright has expired; no permission is required, though attribution may still be appropriate.
Licence verification: Always verify the licence that applies to the specific work you are using. Do not assume that a work is freely reusable based on the platform or website alone.
Licence conditions exercise

Scenario: An image is posted on a website with the text “CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.” What does this licence permit?

Answer:

  • BY: You must attribute the creator.
  • NC: Non-commercial use only.
  • SA: Share-alike — derivatives must be licensed under the same terms.
  • 4.0: Version of the Creative Commons licence.

This licence permits adaptation and sharing, but only for non-commercial purposes, with attribution and share-alike conditions.

6.6 Attribution

Definition — Attribution

Attribution identifies the source, creator, or rights holder of a work. It is a form of acknowledgement, not permission.

Attribution may include:

  • Author or creator name
  • Title of the work
  • Publication date
  • Source or publisher
  • Licence type
  • URL or persistent identifier
  • Nature of modifications (if any)

Attribution may be required by:

  • Academic integrity policies (citation)
  • Licence conditions (e.g., CC BY)
  • Professional ethics
  • Copyright law (moral rights in some jurisdictions)
  • Institutional policies
  • Publisher requirements
Critical distinction: Attribution identifies the source; it does not authorise reuse. You must have permission or a licence to use the work in the way you propose.
Attribution in practice

Example: A student uses a quotation from a book in their essay. They cite the author and page number (attribution). This is generally permitted under academic citation norms and fair dealing for criticism or review.

However, if the student uploads the entire book chapter to an AI system, attribution alone does not make that lawful; they would need permission or a licence.

6.7 Uploading to AI Systems

When you upload source content to an AI system, you are often creating a copy or adaptation of that content on the AI provider’s servers. This raises several questions:

  • Do you have permission to upload? The source licence or terms of service may prohibit uploading to third-party services.
  • What does the AI provider’s terms say? Some AI providers claim rights to content uploaded to their systems; others disclaim liability.
  • Is the content protected? Copyrighted, confidential, personal, or culturally governed material may require special handling.
  • What is the purpose of the upload? Is it for personal research, public distribution, or commercial use?
  • What will the AI system do with the content? Will it be used to train the model, stored, or shared?
Default assumption: Unless you have explicit permission or a clear licence that permits uploading, you should assume that uploading is not authorised.
Upload assessment

Scenario: A professional wants to use an AI system to translate a confidential business report. What should they consider?

Answer:

  • Is the report copyrighted? (Yes, it is an original work.)
  • Does the professional have permission to upload it? (They may need authorisation from the business.)
  • What do the AI provider’s terms say about confidentiality? (Many providers do not guarantee confidentiality.)
  • Is there a safer alternative, such as using a local AI model or manual translation?

The professional should pause and seek permission or use an alternative.

6.8 When to Seek Specialist Review

Specialist review may be required when:

  • Source ownership is unclear.
  • Licence terms are ambiguous or missing.
  • Permission is absent, and the use is significant.
  • A substantial amount of protected content is involved.
  • You are considering commercial or public distribution.
  • The source contains personal or confidential information.
  • You are unsure whether fair dealing or fair use applies.
  • The work may be subject to moral rights or publicity rights.
  • You are using AI to generate derivative works.
Qualified advice: When in doubt, consult your institution’s copyright office, legal counsel, or a qualified specialist. Do not rely solely on this lesson for legal decisions.

7. CREATE Walkthrough

The CREATE framework (introduced in Chapter 11) provides a structured approach to analysing rights, authorship, attribution, and integrity. In this lesson, we focus on the first three elements as they relate to source use.

Placeholder: [INSERT AUTHOR-APPROVED CREATE EXPANSION]

Until the author-approved expansion is confirmed, we treat CREATE operationally as addressing:

Note: CREATE is a framework for responsible analysis, not a guarantee of copyright compliance, originality, or lawful use. Always verify permissions and consult applicable policies.

Element C: Source and Rights Identification

C — Source and Rights Identification

Identify the work, its creator, the rights holder, and the applicable rights.

Guiding questions:

Example: A photograph on a public website. Source: “Sunset Over Vancouver,” by J. Smith, posted on Flickr. Rights holder: J. Smith (photographer), unless the rights have been transferred.

Common mistake: Assuming that because a work is on a public website, it has no rights holder or is in the public domain.

Safeguard: Always look for copyright notices, licence information, and terms of service. If none are present, treat the work as protected.

Escalation: If you cannot identify the rights holder or the rights status, do not proceed with the proposed use until you obtain clarification.

Residual limitation

Identifying the rights holder is not always straightforward. Works may have multiple layers of rights (e.g., a photograph of a building may have copyright in the photograph, the building’s design, and possibly trademarks). Specialist advice may be required.

Element R: Permission and Licence Conditions

R — Permission and Licence Conditions

Determine whether permission or a licence applies, and identify the conditions governing reuse.

Guiding questions:

Example: The photograph is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. Conditions: attribution required, non-commercial use only, share-alike for derivatives.

Common mistake: Assuming that because attribution is provided, no further conditions apply.

Safeguard: Read the licence terms carefully. If you don’t understand them, seek advice.

Stop condition: If the licence or permission does not permit your proposed use, stop and redesign or seek permission.

Residual limitation

Licences may be complex, and different versions of the same licence type may have different terms. Always refer to the specific licence text.

Element E (first): Human Creative and Intellectual Contribution

E — Human Creative and Intellectual Contribution

Identify the human contributions to the work, including conception, selection, analysis, expression, and revision.

Guiding questions:

Example: A human photographer composed the shot, chose the lighting, and made creative decisions about colour and framing. The AI system was used only for minor colour adjustments.

Common mistake: Treating AI-generated output as entirely the user’s own work when the human contribution is minimal.

Safeguard: Document what the human did and what the AI system did. Ensure that the human contribution is meaningful and accountable.

Escalation: If the human contribution is minimal and the AI contribution is substantial, consider whether the use is appropriate, and whether disclosure is required.

Residual limitation

The boundary between human and AI contribution can be ambiguous. Different contexts (academic, professional, creative) may have different expectations.

8. Process Walkthrough: Source Identification to Attribution

Use this structured process to evaluate source rights, permissions, and attribution before using AI.

Table 1. Source-rights evaluation process
Stage Action Guiding Question Example
1. Identify Identify the source work, creator, and rights holder. What is the work, who created it, and who holds the rights? Photograph “Northern Lights” by A. Berg, posted on Unsplash.
2. Access Determine how you accessed the work. Is the work publicly available? Did you access it through a subscription? Downloaded from Unsplash (publicly accessible).
3. Permission Check licence terms or seek permission. What licence applies, or have you obtained permission? Unsplash licence: free for commercial and non-commercial use, no attribution required (but appreciated).
4. Conditions Identify any conditions on the use. Are there attribution, modification, or commercial-use conditions? Unsplash licence: no conditions, but attribution is appreciated.
5. Proposed Use Define your proposed use of the work. What will you do with the work? Quote, transform, upload, distribute? Upload to an AI image generator to create a variation for a presentation.
6. AI Upload Assess whether uploading to AI is permitted. Does the licence or permission allow uploading to a third-party AI system? Unsplash licence permits adaptation and distribution, so uploading is likely permitted.
7. Attribution Determine attribution requirements. Is attribution required by the licence, policy, or ethics? Attribution appreciated: credit “Photo by A. Berg on Unsplash.”
8. Review Verify that you have met all requirements. Have you confirmed permission, conditions, and attribution? Confirmed: licence permits upload, adaptation, and distribution; attribution is appreciated.
9. Responsibility Accept accountability for the final use. Are you prepared to take responsibility for the use? Yes, the student will ensure proper attribution and will not claim the variation as entirely original.
Process walkthrough: complete analysis

Scenario: A student wants to use an AI image generator to create a variation of a photograph they found on a public blog. The blog does not display a licence.

  1. Identify: Photograph by unknown photographer on personal blog.
  2. Access: Publicly accessible blog.
  3. Permission: No licence displayed, no permission obtained.
  4. Conditions: Unknown.
  5. Proposed Use: Upload to AI image generator for a class project.
  6. AI Upload: Not permitted without permission.
  7. Attribution: Would require attribution if permission were obtained.
  8. Review: Permission is missing. The student should not proceed.
  9. Responsibility: The student would bear responsibility for any infringement.

Recommendation: Do not proceed. Use a source with a clear licence, or contact the photographer for permission.

9. Self-Check Quiz

Test your understanding of the core concepts. These questions are formative and ungraded.

Question 1: What is the primary distinction between access and ownership?

Show answer

Answer: Access means you can view or obtain the content; ownership means you hold or control the rights to the content. Access does not grant ownership rights.

Question 2: Which of the following statements is true?

Select one:
Show answer

Answer: c.

Attribution and permission are distinct. Attribution does not create permission, and permission does not eliminate attribution requirements.

Question 3: A student finds a graph in a publicly accessible government report. The report states: “All rights reserved.” Can the student freely use the graph in their presentation?

Show answer

Answer: No. The phrase “All rights reserved” indicates that the work is protected by copyright. The student must check whether the work is licensed for reuse or seek permission. Public accessibility does not grant permission.

Question 4: Match the following terms with their definitions:

  • Copyright
  • Permission
  • Licence
  • Attribution

Definitions: (i) Authorisation from a rights holder for a specified use; (ii) A set of conditions under which content may be used; (iii) A body of rights protecting original works; (iv) Identification of the source or creator.

Show answer
  • Copyright → (iii) A body of rights protecting original works.
  • Permission → (i) Authorisation from a rights holder for a specified use.
  • Licence → (ii) A set of conditions under which content may be used.
  • Attribution → (iv) Identification of the source or creator.

Question 5: A student uploads a copyrighted image to an AI system, modifies it, and uses it in a class presentation. Which of the following is most concerning?

Select one:
Show answer

Answer: b.

Uploading and modifying a copyrighted work without permission is the primary concern. Attribution (or lack thereof) is a separate issue.

Question 6: Under a Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 licence, which of the following is required?

Select one:
Show answer

Answer: b.

CC BY 4.0 requires attribution (BY) but does not restrict commercial use (NC), require share-alike (SA), or prohibit modifications (ND).

Question 7: True or False: If a work is in the public domain, attribution is never required.

Select one:
Show answer

Answer: False.

While public domain works are not protected by copyright, attribution may still be required by academic integrity policies, professional ethics, or institutional guidelines. It is also a matter of good scholarly practice to acknowledge sources.

Question 8: A professional uses an AI system to translate a news article published under an open licence. The AI system outputs a translation. What should the professional consider?

Select one:
Show answer

Answer: d.

All of these considerations are relevant: the translation may be a derivative work, the AI provider’s terms may impose conditions, and the source licence may require attribution.

10. Practice Exercises

Complete these exercises to apply the concepts. Each exercise includes a scenario and questions. Use the hints and sample answers to check your work.

📝 Exercise 9.1.1: Distinguish Copyright, Ownership, Access, Permission, Licensing, and Attribution
  • Difficulty: Introductory
  • Estimated time: ~10 min
  • Learning outcome: Distinguish core copyright concepts.

Scenario: A student finds a scientific diagram on a public research repository. The repository states: “This work is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0.” The student downloads the diagram, includes it in a class presentation, and credits the author.

Questions:

  1. What is the copyright status of the diagram?
  2. Who is the owner of the rights?
  3. What does access allow the student to do?
  4. What permission does the student have?
  5. What licence conditions apply?
  6. Is the student’s attribution sufficient?
Show sample answer
  1. The diagram is copyrighted but licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0.
  2. The owner is the author or their assignee (the repository may host it but does not necessarily own the rights).
  3. Access allows the student to view and download the diagram, but not necessarily to reuse it without complying with the licence.
  4. The permission is granted by the CC BY-NC 4.0 licence: the student may use, share, and adapt the work for non-commercial purposes, with attribution.
  5. Licence conditions: Attribution required (BY), non-commercial use only (NC).
  6. The student’s attribution should include the author’s name, title of the work, source, and licence information. A simple “credit to author” may be insufficient.
📝 Exercise 9.1.2: Identify Relevant Rights and Stakeholders
  • Difficulty: Intermediate
  • Estimated time: ~12 min
  • Learning outcome: Identify rights and stakeholders.

Scenario: A photographer posts a photo on Instagram. The photo is of a famous building. A business wants to use the photo in an advertisement. The business downloads the photo from Instagram, edits it, and uses it in the ad with credit to the photographer.

Questions:

  1. Who are the relevant rights holders or stakeholders?
  2. What rights may be involved?
  3. What permissions should the business obtain?
  4. Does the business’s attribution resolve the issues?
Show sample answer
  1. Stakeholders: The photographer (copyright), Instagram (platform terms), and potentially the building’s owner/designer (if the building is protected by copyright or trademark).
  2. Rights: Copyright in the photo, moral rights of the photographer, publicity rights, and platform terms.
  3. Permissions: The business needs permission from the photographer (or licence) for commercial use. It also needs to check Instagram’s terms and any rights related to the building itself.
  4. Attribution: Attribution alone does not grant commercial permission. The business must obtain permission or a licence that permits commercial use.
📝 Exercise 9.1.3: Interpret a Verified Licence Summary
  • Difficulty: Introductory
  • Estimated time: ~10 min
  • Learning outcome: Identify licence elements.

Scenario: You find a music track on a platform with the licence: “CC BY-ND 3.0.” You want to use it as background music in a video you are creating for a class project. The video will be shared with your class only.

Questions:

  1. What does CC BY-ND 3.0 allow?
  2. Can you use the track as background music?
  3. Can you edit the track?
  4. What attribution do you need to provide?
Show sample answer
  1. CC BY-ND 3.0 permits sharing, redistribution, and use for any purpose (including commercial) as long as you provide attribution and do not create derivatives.
  2. Yes, you can use it as background music, as long as you do not edit it and you provide attribution.
  3. No, you cannot edit or remix the track (ND = No Derivatives).
  4. Attribution must include: author name, title, source, licence information, and a notice that no modifications were made.
📝 Exercise 9.1.4: Evaluate Upload Permission
  • Difficulty: Intermediate
  • Estimated time: ~12 min
  • Learning outcome: Assess upload permission.

Scenario: A researcher wants to use an AI summarisation tool to summarise a journal article. The article is behind a paywall but accessible through the researcher’s institutional subscription. The publisher’s terms allow “personal use” and “research purposes” but prohibit “systematic redistribution” and “uploading to third-party platforms.”

Questions:

  1. Does the researcher have access to the article?
  2. Does the researcher have permission to upload the article to the AI tool?
  3. What should the researcher do instead?
Show sample answer
  1. Yes, the researcher has access through the institutional subscription.
  2. No, the publisher’s terms prohibit uploading to third-party platforms. The researcher does not have permission to upload the article to the AI tool.
  3. The researcher should not upload the full article. Alternatives include: (a) summarising the article manually; (b) using the AI tool with only a short excerpt (if permitted); (c) using a tool that is licensed for such use; (d) seeking permission from the publisher.
📝 Exercise 9.1.5: Distinguish Permission from Attribution
  • Difficulty: Intermediate
  • Estimated time: ~12 min
  • Learning outcome: Distinguish permission from attribution.

Scenario: A student finds a quote from a famous author on a website. The student includes the quote in an essay and cites the source. The student also uploads the full text of the author’s book to an AI analysis tool.

Questions:

  1. Is the student’s citation (attribution) sufficient for the quote?
  2. Does the citation grant permission to upload the full book?
  3. What additional permissions might be needed for the book upload?
Show sample answer
  1. Yes, the citation is sufficient for the quote (assuming the quote is short and used for criticism or review, and the citation is accurate).
  2. No, the citation does not grant permission to upload the full book. Uploading the full text is a reproduction that requires permission.
  3. Additional permissions: The student would need permission from the copyright holder (publisher or author) to upload the full book, or a licence that permits such use. The student should also consider whether the AI tool’s terms allow such uploads.
📝 Exercise 9.1.6: Recommend Proceed, Verify, Seek Permission, Redesign, or Stop
  • Difficulty: Advanced
  • Estimated time: ~15 min
  • Learning outcome: Make a recommendation based on rights analysis.

Scenario: A professional is preparing a report for a client. They find a dataset on a government website. The website states: “This dataset is made available under the Open Government Licence.” The professional plans to use an AI tool to analyse the dataset and generate visualisations. The AI tool’s terms state that uploaded data may be used to improve the tool. The professional’s client requires confidentiality.

Questions:

  1. What does the Open Government Licence permit?
  2. Does the AI tool’s terms affect the professional’s use?
  3. What confidentiality concerns exist?
  4. What is your recommendation: proceed, verify, seek permission, redesign, or stop?
Show sample answer
  1. The Open Government Licence typically permits use, reproduction, adaptation, and distribution, with attribution, for any purpose. The professional likely has permission to use the dataset.
  2. The AI tool’s terms may be a concern because they allow the tool provider to use uploaded data to improve the tool. This may conflict with the professional’s confidentiality obligations to the client.
  3. Confidentiality: Even if the dataset is public, the analysis and visualisations may be confidential if they reveal client information. The professional should ensure that the client’s data is not exposed.
  4. Recommendation: The professional should redesign the process. Options include: (a) using a local AI tool that does not share data; (b) anonymising the dataset before upload; (c) using the AI tool only for non-confidential parts; (d) obtaining client consent; (e) using a non-AI alternative.

11. Homework Problems

Formative · Ungraded · Recommended preparation for Assignment 3 and evidence for Assignment 1.

🧠 Problem 9.1.1: Concept Distinction

Explain the distinction between copyright and ownership in your own words. Provide an example where the copyright holder is not the owner of the physical copy.

Show solution design
  1. Define copyright (legal rights over original works).
  2. Define ownership (who holds or controls the rights).
  3. Distinguish: owning a copy ≠ owning the copyright.
  4. Provide an example (e.g., buying a book, owning a print).
🧠 Problem 9.1.2: Public Access

A student finds a video on a public video-sharing platform. The video has no copyright notice. The student downloads it and uses it in a presentation. What are the potential issues? What should the student have done?

Show solution design
  1. Identify the work and its potential rights holder.
  2. Check the platform’s terms of service.
  3. Determine whether a licence is present.
  4. If no licence is present, do not assume permission.
  5. Seek permission or use an alternative.
🧠 Problem 9.1.3: Licence Conditions

A work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0. You want to use an excerpt in a book you are writing for commercial publication. Can you do this? Explain why or why not.

Show solution design
  1. Identify the licence conditions: BY (attribution), NC (non-commercial), SA (share-alike).
  2. Determine whether commercial publication is permitted under NC. (It is not.)
  3. Consider alternatives: obtain permission, use a differently licensed work, or use only public domain content.
🧠 Problem 9.1.4: Source Upload

You are a professional consultant. You want to use an AI tool to analyse a client’s internal report. The client did not provide permission to share the report with third parties. What should you do?

Show solution design
  1. Assess whether you have permission to share the report. (You do not.)
  2. Consider whether the AI tool guarantees confidentiality. (Most do not.)
  3. Recommend alternatives: use a local tool, anonymise the report, seek client permission, or use manual analysis.
🧠 Problem 9.1.5: Permission vs. Attribution

A student includes a photograph in their thesis, with full attribution to the photographer. The photographer had posted the image with the caption “Feel free to share!” Does the student have permission to include the photograph in their thesis, which will be published online?

Show solution design
  1. Interpret the photographer’s statement: “Feel free to share” suggests permission to share, but it is ambiguous.
  2. Consider the context: sharing on social media vs. publishing in a thesis may be different.
  3. Recommend seeking explicit permission or a formal licence for the thesis publication.
🧠 Problem 9.1.6: Transformation

You use an AI image generator to create a new image based on a copyrighted photograph. The new image is significantly different in style and composition. Is the new image a derivative work? What permissions might you need?

Show solution design
  1. Determine whether the new work is derived from the original (i.e., whether it incorporates protected expression).
  2. If it is a derivative work, permission from the original rights holder is likely required.
  3. If the new work is transformative and does not incorporate protected expression, it may not be a derivative work, but this is context-dependent.
  4. Recommend seeking legal advice if uncertain.
🧠 Problem 9.1.7: Specialist Review

You are planning to use a large collection of historical photographs from a museum’s online archive. The archive states that the photographs are “in the public domain” but does not provide any licence. You want to use them in a commercial product. What should you do?

Show solution design
  1. Verify the public domain status in the relevant jurisdiction(s).
  2. Check whether the museum has any additional restrictions.
  3. Consider moral rights (in some jurisdictions, moral rights do not expire).
  4. If uncertain, seek legal advice or consult the museum for clarification.
  5. Document your due diligence.
🧠 Problem 9.1.8: Transfer

You are transferring a dataset from an internal project to an AI system for analysis. The dataset includes both public data and proprietary internal data. What permissions do you need? What safeguards should you put in place?

Show solution design
  1. Identify the rights in the dataset: public data may be freely usable; proprietary data likely requires permission.
  2. Check whether the AI system’s terms allow the transfer and use of the data.
  3. Consider confidentiality and privacy obligations.
  4. If permission is required, obtain it before transferring.
  5. Anonymise or de-identify the data where possible.
🧠 Problem 9.1.9: Concept Distinction 2

Distinguish between permission and licensing. Provide an example of a use that requires both.

Show solution design
  1. Define permission (authorisation from rights holder).
  2. Define licensing (standardised permission with conditions).
  3. Distinguish: permission can be informal or specific; licensing is formal and often public.
  4. Provide an example: using a CC-licensed image requires complying with the licence (a type of permission), but if you want to use it in a way not covered by the licence, you need additional permission.
🧠 Problem 9.1.10: Public Access 2

A researcher finds a dataset on a public government website. The website states that the data is “open data” and “free to use.” The researcher plans to use the data in a commercial application. What should the researcher check before proceeding?

Show solution design
  1. Check the specific licence or terms under which the data is provided.
  2. Determine whether commercial use is permitted.
  3. Check whether attribution is required.
  4. Check whether any restrictions apply to the data (e.g., privacy, confidentiality).
🧠 Problem 9.1.11: Licence Conditions 2

A work is licensed under CC BY 4.0. You want to use it in a commercial product and modify it. What are the requirements?

Show solution design
  1. CC BY 4.0 allows commercial use.
  2. It allows modifications (adaptations).
  3. Attribution is required: credit the creator, provide title, source, licence, and indicate modifications.
🧠 Problem 9.1.12: Source Upload 2

You are a student working on a group project. One group member uploads a copyrighted image to a shared AI tool without checking the licence. The tool generates new images based on it. What issues arise, and what should the group do?

Show solution design
  1. Identify the issue: the image may be copyrighted, and the group member lacks permission.
  2. Assess whether the AI tool’s terms allow such uploads.
  3. Consider the group’s shared responsibility.
  4. Recommend: stop using the generated images, seek permission, or use a licensed alternative.
  5. Document the situation and communicate with the instructor if necessary.
🧠 Problem 9.1.13: Specialist Review 2

You are developing an AI-powered product that will generate content based on user inputs. The product will be used by businesses worldwide. What are the key copyright and permission considerations you need to address?

Show solution design
  1. Identify the sources of content used by the product (user inputs, training data).
  2. Consider jurisdiction: different countries have different copyright laws.
  3. Consider the AI system’s terms and how they affect ownership and licensing.
  4. Consider whether users have permission to upload content.
  5. Develop clear terms of service and user guidelines.
  6. Seek legal advice for the specific product and jurisdictions.

12. Mini-Project: Source Rights and Permission Review

📁 Project: Source Rights and Permission Review
  • Purpose: Apply the concepts from Lesson 9.1 to a synthetic source-use case.
  • Learning outcomes: Define rights concepts, distinguish permission from attribution, assess upload permission, and make a recommendation.
  • Estimated effort: 75–120 minutes.

Scenario

You are a consultant working on a sustainability report for a non-profit organisation. You need to include a series of data visualisations and a map showing global climate trends. You have found the following sources:

  1. Source A: A map showing temperature anomalies from a university research lab. The map is on the lab’s public website with the statement: “This map may be used for educational and non-commercial purposes with attribution.”
  2. Source B: A data visualisation from a government agency. The agency’s website states: “All content on this site is in the public domain unless otherwise noted.” The visualisation has no additional restrictions.
  3. Source C: A photograph of a community affected by climate change, taken by a freelance photographer. The photograph is on a stock photo website with a “Rights Managed” licence. The website requires a fee for each use.

You plan to use an AI tool to create new visualisations based on these sources for the report, which will be distributed to donors and the public.

Required Sections

Complete the following sections for each source:

  1. Human purpose: What is your purpose for using the source?
  2. Source type: What type of source is it? (map, visualisation, photograph, etc.)
  3. Creator: Who created the source?
  4. Possible rights holder: Who may hold the rights?
  5. Access method: How did you access the source?
  6. Proposed AI use: How will you use AI with the source?
  7. Proposed reuse: How will you use the final output?
  8. Licence or permission evidence: What licence or permission applies?
  9. Attribution requirement: Is attribution required?
  10. Modification condition: Are modifications permitted?
  11. Distribution condition: Are you allowed to distribute the work?
  12. Upload concern: Is uploading to an AI system permitted?
  13. Privacy or confidentiality overlap: Are there privacy concerns?
  14. Uncertainty: What remains unclear?
  15. Required specialist review: Is specialist review needed?
  16. Safer alternative: What is a safer alternative?
  17. Stop condition: What would cause you to stop?
  18. Preliminary recommendation: What do you recommend?
Show staged hints

Hint 1: Identify the source and rights question
For each source, identify the work, creator, possible rights holder, access method, proposed use, and any licence or permission evidence.

Hint 2: Check the licence
Source A: “educational and non-commercial with attribution” — check whether the non-profit’s report is non-commercial. Source B: public domain — no restrictions. Source C: Rights Managed — requires payment and permission.

Hint 3: Consider the AI upload
For each source, consider whether the licence or permission allows uploading to an AI tool. Source A may allow it for non-commercial purposes; Source B likely allows it; Source C does not grant permission without payment.

Hint 4: Consider attribution
Source A requires attribution. Source B may not require it, but good practice recommends it. Source C requires attribution and payment.

Hint 5: Make a recommendation
For each source, decide whether to proceed, seek permission, redesign, or stop. Consider the non-profit’s purpose and the donor/public audience.

Show solution architecture
  1. For each source, complete the 18 sections above.
  2. For Source A: Proceed with attribution, non-commercial use. Do not use for commercial purposes.
  3. For Source B: Proceed. Attribution is recommended but not required.
  4. For Source C: Seek permission or pay the fee. If the budget does not allow, use a different source.
  5. For the AI upload: Source A is permitted for non-commercial; Source B is permitted; Source C requires permission.
  6. Document all permissions and attribution.
Show illustrative partial example (Source A)

Source A: Temperature Anomalies Map

  1. Human purpose: To illustrate global temperature trends in a sustainability report.
  2. Source type: Map (data visualisation).
  3. Creator: University research lab.
  4. Possible rights holder: The university research lab.
  5. Access method: Public website.
  6. Proposed AI use: Use an AI tool to generate a variation or enhanced version of the map.
  7. Proposed reuse: Include in the report distributed to donors and the public.
  8. Licence or permission evidence: “This map may be used for educational and non-commercial purposes with attribution.”
  9. Attribution requirement: Yes — attribute the lab.
  10. Modification condition: The statement does not explicitly mention modifications. This is unclear.
  11. Distribution condition: Permitted for non-commercial purposes.
  12. Upload concern: The licence does not specifically address uploading to AI tools. This is a risk area.
  13. Privacy or confidentiality overlap: None.
  14. Uncertainty: Whether modifications and AI upload are permitted.
  15. Required specialist review: The uncertainty about modifications and AI upload may require review.
  16. Safer alternative: Use the map as-is with attribution, or seek permission for modifications.
  17. Stop condition: If the report becomes commercial or if the AI tool’s terms conflict with the licence.
  18. Preliminary recommendation: Proceed with caution. Verify that the report is non-commercial. Seek clarification on modifications and AI upload. Attribute the lab appropriately.

Self-Review Checklist

  • Did I identify the source, creator, and rights holder for each source?
  • Did I check the licence or permission for each source?
  • Did I consider whether AI upload is permitted?
  • Did I identify attribution requirements?
  • Did I consider modification and distribution conditions?
  • Did I identify uncertainty and the need for specialist review?
  • Did I recommend a course of action for each source?
  • Did I document my analysis clearly?

13. Summary & Key Takeaways

Remember these points
  • Copyright protects original works; it is not the same as ownership of a physical copy.
  • Access is not ownership, and access does not create permission to reuse.
  • Permission is authorisation from the rights holder; it may be granted through a licence.
  • Attribution identifies the source but does not establish permission.
  • Publicly accessible content is not automatically free to reuse.
  • Licence conditions (e.g., CC BY, CC BY-NC) define what you may do with a work.
  • Before uploading content to an AI system, verify that you have permission or a licence that permits such use.
  • When rights are unclear, stop and seek clarification or use an alternative.
  • Specialist review may be required for complex or high-risk uses.

Key Distinctions

Table 2. Core rights concepts compared
Concept Definition Key Limitation
Copyright Legal rights protecting original works. Does not apply to ideas, facts, or works in the public domain.
Ownership Who holds the rights to a work. Owning a copy does not mean owning the copyright.
Access Ability to view or obtain content. Access does not grant permission to reuse.
Permission Authorisation for a specified use. Permission is context-specific; one permission may not cover all uses.
Licence Standardised permission with conditions. Licences have specific terms; read them carefully.
Attribution Identification of the source or creator. Attribution does not create permission.

Common Misconceptions

Process Reminder

Before using any source with AI, apply the structured process:

  1. Identify → the source, creator, and rights holder.
  2. Access → determine how you accessed it.
  3. Permission → check the licence or obtain permission.
  4. Conditions → identify attribution, modification, and commercial-use conditions.
  5. Proposed Use → define what you plan to do.
  6. AI Upload → assess whether uploading is permitted.
  7. Attribution → determine attribution requirements.
  8. Review → verify that all requirements are met.
  9. Responsibility → accept accountability for the final use.

14. Next Steps

You have now completed Lesson 9.1. You should be able to distinguish copyright, ownership, access, permission, licensing, and attribution, and you have practised applying these concepts to real-world scenarios.

Next lesson: Lesson 9.2 — Human Authorship, Creative Contribution, and Attribution — where you will explore what human authorship means in AI-assisted work, how to distinguish human from AI contributions, and how to document provenance and responsibility.

Assignment 3 connection: The concepts and skills from this lesson are foundational for Assignment 3 (Responsible AI Case Analysis). Continue to document your learning and apply the process to your case.

💡 Reflection prompt: How does your understanding of permission and attribution change how you plan to use AI in your work? Consider one source you have used or plan to use and apply the process from this lesson.
Continue to Lesson 9.2: Human Authorship, Creative Contribution, and Attribution Return to Unit 9 Home
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