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Copyright Act 1994

Acts permitted in relation to copyright works - Libraries and archives

56A: Library or archive may communicate digital copy to authenticated users

You could also call this:

"Libraries and archives can share digital copies with approved users in a way that respects copyright laws."

Illustration for Copyright Act 1994

You can get a digital copy of a work from a library or archive if they have it lawfully. The librarian or archivist must tell you in writing about the rules for copying and sharing the work. They must also make sure you cannot alter the digital copy. You are an authenticated user if you have a right to use the library or archive and you can access the digital copy through a verification process. The library or archive can only let as many people access the digital copy as they have purchased or are licensed for. They must give you the digital copy in a form that cannot be changed. The librarian or archivist must follow these rules so they do not infringe copyright in the work. This is part of the Copyright Act 1994. You can only copy or share the digital copy according to the rules of this Act.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM1704632.

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56: Copying by librarians or archivists of certain unpublished works, or

"Librarians can copy unpublished works for research or study if they follow the rules"

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56B: Additional conditions for supply of copy of work in digital format by librarian or archivist under section 51, 52, or 56, or

"Getting a digital copy of a work from a librarian or archivist has extra rules"

Part 3Acts permitted in relation to copyright works
Libraries and archives

56ALibrary or archive may communicate digital copy to authenticated users

  1. The librarian of a prescribed library or the archivist of an archive does not infringe copyright in a work by communicating a digital copy of the work to an authenticated user if the following conditions are met:

  2. the librarian or archivist has obtained the digital copy lawfully; and
    1. the librarian or archivist ensures that each user is informed in writing about the limits of copying and communication allowed by this Act, including that a digital copy of a work may only be copied or communicated by the user in accordance with the provisions of this Act; and
      1. the digital copy is communicated to the user in a form that cannot be altered or modified; and
        1. the number of users who access the digital copy at any one time is not more than the aggregate number of digital copies of the work that—
          1. the library or the archive has purchased; or
            1. for which it is licensed.

            2. In subsection (1), authenticated user means a person who—

            3. has a legitimate right to use the services of the library or archive; and
              1. can access the digital copy only through a verification process that verifies that the person is entitled to access the digital copy.

                Notes
                • Section 56A: inserted, on , by section 37 of the Copyright (New Technologies) Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 27).