Copyright

Imagine you’re a singer in a rock band that’s just starting to become famous. In addition to touring around New Zealand, you’ve released a CD that went straight to the top of the album charts. One day you decide to read what others are saying about your music on the internet, and you find a whole bunch of sites where people can download your music for free. You certainly haven’t given permission to any of the websites to give away your music . . . what’s going on?

Now imagine that your younger sister comes home with top marks for a story she wrote for her homework project. Your parents are so proud that they ask her to read the story out loud after dinner. As she starts reading, you begin to recognise bits of the story. It’s actually a story you wrote for your homework last year . . . what’s going on?

Use the links to find out what illegal activity these stories are examples of, and how you can stop it happening to you!

What is copyright?

What is plagiarism?