Copyright, Plagiarism, and Academic Integrity
Copyright
Copyright protects intellectual property under the Copyright Act 98 of 1978, preventing unauthorised reproduction of literary or musical works. In South Africa, as a signatory to the Bern Convention, copyright laws align with international standards to safeguard creators’ rights.
Copyright occurs when you:
- Perform actions that only the copyright holder can legally do
- Produce unauthorised copies of works, depriving the copyright holder of income
- Create illegal digital versions or copy artistic works like images without permission
Useful Links:
The Library and Copyright
- Lecturers can upload materials to eReserves for students, with Library staff handling any necessary copyright clearance.
- For training on copyright and plagiarism, contact:
- Mahikeng Library: Maphefo Maake at +27 (0)18 389 2322
- Potchefstroom Library: Kgasane Seemela at +27 (0)18 389 2826
- Vanderbijlpark Library: Maropene Ramabina at +27 (0)16 910 3042
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the act of using someone else’s work or ideas without proper acknowledgement, presenting them as your own. This includes copying text, paraphrasing, or translating without crediting the original author. It is considered academic theft and a serious violation in scholarly environments.
To avoid plagiarism, always cite sources correctly in both in-text references and the reference list.
Useful Links:
- How to avoid plagiarism?
- iThenticate
- How to use Turnitin
- Plagiarism declaration forms
- Referella guides and videos