Clarifying Copyright for Academic Websites: A Commitment to Compliance

As part of my degree, I created two websites that served as practical projects and demonstrated my understanding of web development, design, and content creation. While these websites were made purely for academic purposes and have helped illustrate my skills, I understand that copyright compliance is crucial. With this in mind, I am fully willing to take down or modify any content on these sites that might inadvertently violate copyright law.

The Academic Purpose Behind the Websites

In many academic programs, creating a live website can be an essential part of the curriculum, allowing students to translate their theoretical knowledge into practical application. For my degree, these websites acted as personal projects, designed to showcase my understanding of website creation while incorporating multimedia and written content. The goal was never commercial, but educational, and they were primarily seen by peers, instructors, and examiners.

These projects allowed me to:

1. Develop a hands-on understanding of web design—including layout, and responsive design.
2. Experiment with content creation through both written and multimedia components.
3. Engage with copyright concepts by exploring what kind of content could be legally shared and how to appropriately credit sources.

Addressing Copyright Compliance

Despite their academic purpose, I recognise that maintaining copyright compliance is essential. Even in an educational context, using copyrighted materials without permission or proper citation can lead to unintended legal issues. These concerns are significant for content that might remain online or become publicly accessible after completing the course.

To ensure full compliance, I have taken the following steps:

1. Content Review: I am carefully reviewing the content on each website to ensure that any images, videos, text, or audio used are either original, licensed for use, or appropriately cited. Copyrighted materials are not always allowed for use online, even in academic settings, unless they fall under fair use or have explicit permissions.
2. Removal or Modification: If I find any content that might not meet copyright standards, I am prepared to take it down immediately or replace it with licensed or public domain alternatives. This includes any images, written content, or multimedia that do not have clear permissions or citations.
3. Open Communication: By clearly stating my commitment to compliance, I hope to demonstrate my respect for copyright holders and signal my willingness to take down any materials that don’t meet copyright guidelines.

The Importance of Copyright Awareness in Academia

For many students, projects such as these are valuable for building skills, but they also serve as lessons in responsible content creation. Understanding copyright, fair use, and the need for proper attribution is essential for anyone working with online content, and academic projects are no exception. This experience has underscored the importance of maintaining respect for creators’ rights, even when the work is not intended for profit or widespread distribution.

In closing, I am committed to copyright compliance and I am ready to address any content on these websites that may not meet copyright standards. I appreciate the learning experience these projects have provided and I am grateful for the opportunity to build skills responsibly and respectfully.

https://rachelbakewell.weebly.com/

https://rachelbakewellcapyear2.weebly.com/

Read more: My Contemporary Art Practice