--- title: How to Prevent Copyright Claims on Your Online Course description: "The Internet is a goldmine for engaging course material. But, have you ever asked yourself: am I allowed to use this resource? Learn more about copyright." image: https://blog.openlearning.com/hubfs/copywriteartboard-2-copy.png --- [![OpenLearning Logo](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5f6fb7cbdbe1b69641ddf9fe/5f71c1cd44fb7b7354aed8e9_Open%20Learning%20Logo.webp)](https://blog.openlearning.com) - Educators - Get Inspired Curated content to help you create, market and deliver world-class education. - [Beginner Course Creators](https://blog.openlearning.com/openlearning-blog-beginner-course-creators?hsLang=en) - [Employee Onboarding and Training](https://blog.openlearning.com/onboarding-training?hsLang=en) - [Marketing Your Course](https://blog.openlearning.com/marketing?hsLang=en) ![icon-1](https://blog.openlearning.com/hubfs/Images/icon-1.png) - [Downloadable Resources](https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/bufc4bjkqmflegwai5t3s/ADOkkCFNU1LsxShHdPOz7ss?rlkey=e0ne00og4hp6ux1ut6wvomh9l&st=zfyrc58o&dl=0) Templates to help you plan and manage your online course project. ![Nav_Icon_2](https://blog.openlearning.com/hubfs/Images/Nav_Icon_2.svg) ![external-link-alt-regular](https://blog.openlearning.com/hubfs/Images/external-link-alt-regular.svg) - [Workshops and Webinars](https://solutions.openlearning.com/events?hsLang=en) Browse upcoming events and access on-demand webinars. ![Nav_Icon_3](https://blog.openlearning.com/hubfs/Images/Nav_Icon_3.svg) ![external-link-alt-regular](https://blog.openlearning.com/hubfs/Images/external-link-alt-regular.svg) - [Lifelong Learners](https://blog.openlearning.com/learners?hsLang=en) - [Product Updates](https://blog.openlearning.com/tag/updates) - [Subscribe](https://blog.openlearning.com/#hs_cos_wrapper_module_1623683371629468) [Try it for free](https://solutions.openlearning.com/contact/sales?hsLang=en) ![search icon](https://blog.openlearning.com/hubfs/Images/search-regular-icon.svg) [Try it for free](https://solutions.openlearning.com/contact/sales?hsLang=en) # How to Prevent Copyright Claims on Your Online Course By [Eikris Biala](https://blog.openlearning.com/author/eikris-biala) min read Share ### Contents - 1. What is copyright? - 2. Where to find free or open-licensed resources - 3. A final word on copyright 721 There is no doubt about it – the Internet is a goldmine for engaging course material. It’s a place where knowledge and resources are created, shared and distributed freely for our collective consumption. Think of all the headlining news articles, topical videos, pictures and animations we consume daily that inevitably teach us about a topic. Having a wide source of engaging material in your online course enables students to experience a subject in a broader context and reflect on how it applies to people and the world today. It could be tempting to incorporate these material into your course on the basis that they’re already readily available for everyone, but have you ever asked yourself: "*Am I allowed to use this?"* Despite how freely content is shared on the Internet, taking someone else’s work might be an infringement of copyright. It may lead to a copyright claim being made on your course—especially if you are [selling your online course](https://blog.openlearning.com/how-course-providers-can-tap-into-the-career-upskilling-market-7-tips?hsLang=en) and generating profit from it. ## **So, what is copyright?** [Copyright](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright) is a set of rules that protect authors and creators of original content from having their work reproduced or redistributed without their permission.  [➡️ Read: 5 myths about copyright and plagiarism in online learning.](https://blog.openlearning.com/copyright-and-plagiarism-in-online-learning?hsLang=en) In order to use copyrighted material, you need to get express permission from the author or have an open license to use it. The easiest way to prevent a copyright claim is to avoid using copyrighted material in your course. Instead, opt for original or open-licensed material. Fortunately, the amount of open-licensed material available on the Internet is growing daily. Some popular options include:   ### **Creative Commons** [Creative Commons](https://creativecommons.org/about/) are dedicated to providing open-licensed material to the public with attached conditions. You can read all about the different licenses and conditions [here.](http://creativecommons.org.au/learn/licences/) For example, you can use BY-NC material if you provide attribution and the purpose is non-commercial; BY-NC-ND if you provide attribution, the purpose is non-commercial and no changes are made to the work. One core condition among all CC-licensed material is [attribution](http://creativecommons.org.au/learn/fact-sheets/attribution/). This means giving credit to the creator and linking the source and terms of the license (see the image below for an example). ![ccexample.png](https://blog.openlearning.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/ccexample.png?width=423&name=ccexample.png) ### **CC0 and Public Domain** Unlike Creative Commons, where some copyright is still reserved, [CC0](https://wiki.creativecommons.org/wiki/CC0_FAQ#What_is_CC0.3F) and [Public Domain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain) material have no copyright attached to it. Anyone is free to use, copy or modify CC0 or Public Domain work for any purpose, including commercial. ### **Statutory Education License** Australian copyright law also allows some exceptions for particular uses. Educational institutions such as schools, universities and TAFEs are permitted to use a reasonable portion of works - roughly 10% or one image and one book chapter - if it is for educational purposes. ## Where can I find free or open-licensed resources?   ### **Teaching and Learning Material** A growing number of teaching and learning materials have been created or released for public use at no cost and without asking for permission from the author. These are referred to as Open Educational Resources or OER. You can find a digital library of public OERs at [OER Commons](https://www.oercommons.org/). They range from textbooks to videos, curricula and lecture notes. ### **Photos and images** #### **1. CC0 Resources** The following websites host or search from a library of stock photographs and images that have been released under CC0. - [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/) - [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/) - [Visualhunt](https://visualhunt.com/) - [Unsplash ](https://unsplash.com/) #### **2. Creative Common Resources** [Flickr](https://www.flickr.com/) provide images licensed under Creative Commons. Be sure to check the license for the terms. [Wylio](https://www.wylio.com/) is a dedicated search engine for Creative Common images. There are free and paid options. Another tip is to filter Google images based on the license type that is suitable for your use (see image below). ![google filter](https://blog.openlearning.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/google-filter.png?width=591&name=google-filter.png) #### **3. Videos** [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/) and [Vimeo](https://vimeo.com/) provide a license to use their videos as long as you use their Share or Embed function. ## A final word on copyright Always check individual sites for their Terms of Service or their Copyright rules. Always check the license and terms in which you can copy, use or share a creative work. When attributing CC-licensed material, avoid deep-linking (directly linking to the image source) as this provides no context of where the image or video came from. If you know of any other resources that are safe to use, please share them in the comment section below! [![Step-by-step guidance to build your online course. Get your free copy of the OpenLearning Course Creators Handbook.](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/696603/2ff17c54-946f-400b-bf5b-e30e2e74bd6f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/696603/2ff17c54-946f-400b-bf5b-e30e2e74bd6f) Topics: [Course Design Tips](https://blog.openlearning.com/tag/course-design-tips) Liked this post? Don’t forget to share it! ### Recommended Resources May 7, 2026 ### [The Making of NSW’s Digital Athlete Program by Learning Plan](https://blog.openlearning.com/the-making-of-nsws-digital-athlete-program-by-learning-plan?hsLang=en) [Continue Reading ![right arrow](https://blog.openlearning.com/hubfs/Images/arrow-right-icon.png)](https://blog.openlearning.com/the-making-of-nsws-digital-athlete-program-by-learning-plan?hsLang=en) April 2, 2026 ### [What Changes When Course Teams Streamline Build And Delivery](https://blog.openlearning.com/what-changes-when-course-teams-streamline-build-and-delivery?hsLang=en) [Continue Reading ![right arrow](https://blog.openlearning.com/hubfs/Images/arrow-right-icon.png)](https://blog.openlearning.com/what-changes-when-course-teams-streamline-build-and-delivery?hsLang=en) March 16, 2026 ### [Online Learning Engagement Starts With the Right Course Design](https://blog.openlearning.com/how-ai-enhances-student-engagement-in-online-learning?hsLang=en) [Continue Reading ![right arrow](https://blog.openlearning.com/hubfs/Images/arrow-right-icon.png)](https://blog.openlearning.com/how-ai-enhances-student-engagement-in-online-learning?hsLang=en) ## Get more resources in your inbox ![back to top button](https://blog.openlearning.com/hubfs/Images/back-to-top.png) Company - [About us](https://solutions.openlearning.com/about) - [Team](https://solutions.openlearning.com/team) - [Careers](https://solutions.openlearning.com/careers) - [Press](https://solutions.openlearning.com/press) - [Blog](https://blog.openlearning.com) - [Investors](https://solutions.openlearning.com/investor-center) - [Contact](https://solutions.openlearning.com/contact) Use cases - [Case studies](https://solutions.openlearning.com/case-studies) - [Professional development](https://solutions.openlearning.com/internal-learning-development) - [MOOCs](https://solutions.openlearning.com/moocs) Platform - [Features](https://solutions.openlearning.com/platform-features) - [Philosophy](https://solutions.openlearning.com/learning-philosophy) - [Pricing](https://solutions.openlearning.com/pricing) - [Course marketplace](https://www.openlearning.com/courses/) - [Partners](https://www.openlearning.com/partners/) Support - [Learning Design](https://solutions.openlearning.com/learning-design-services) - [Marketing](https://solutions.openlearning.com/marketing-services) - [Help & support](https://help.openlearning.com/) - [Research](https://solutions.openlearning.com/research) - [Events](https://solutions.openlearning.com/events) - [Learning Designers' Toolkit](https://medium.com/learning-designers-toolkit) - [COVID-19](https://solutions.openlearning.com/covid-19) Resources - [OpenCreds](https://solutions.openlearning.com/opencreds) - [BEST Network](https://www.best.edu.au/) - [UNSW Transition Programme Online](https://www.unswcollege.edu.au/study/foundation-studies-overview) - [CS101](https://www.cs101.com/) Follow us on social media ![Follow OpenLearning on LinkedIn](https://blog.openlearning.com/hubfs/5f71dd6a12c4ea5089f6ffe6_linkedin.svg) [![Follow OpenLearning on Instagram](https://blog.openlearning.com/hubfs/5f71dd6ba85b924388d32db2_instagramm.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/openlearningcom/) [![Follow OpenLearning on Facebook](https://blog.openlearning.com/hubfs/5f71dd6aa7133903129695ee_facebook.svg)](https://www.instagram.com/openlearning_global) [![Follow OpenLearning on Twitter](https://blog.openlearning.com/hubfs/5f71dd6a96a9290ccd6928af_twitter.svg)](https://facebook.com/OpenLearning) © 2026 OpenLearning Limited (ASX: OLL) - [Terms of service](https://solutions.openlearning.com/terms-of-service) - [Privacy policy](https://solutions.openlearning.com/privacy-policy) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Eikris Biala", "url" : "https://blog.openlearning.com/author/eikris-biala" }, "dateModified" : "2021-11-10T05:05:47.424Z", "datePublished" : "2018-03-21T03:00:54.000Z", "headline" : "How to Prevent Copyright Claims on Your Online Course", "image" : [ "https://blog.openlearning.com/hubfs/copywriteartboard-2-copy.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.openlearning.com/2018/03/21/what-course-creators-need-to-know-about-copyright", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.openlearning.com/hubfs/OpenLearning-Logo.png" }, "name" : "OpenLearning" } } ```