The Boating Association
Copyright Protection Policy
1. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to protect the intellectual property (IP) rights of The Boating Association and ensure that all staff, volunteers, and trustees respect copyright laws. This policy helps safeguard the charity’s materials, reputation, and legal compliance.
1.1. Scope
This policy applies to:
- Staff, volunteers, and trustees
- Contractors and third parties working on behalf of the charity
- All content created, used, or distributed by the organisation
1.2. What is Copyright?
Copyright is a legal right that protects original works, including:
- Written materials (reports, blogs, policies)
- Images, photographs, and videos
- Website content and design
- Marketing materials and branding
- Training resources and presentations
Copyright protection applies automatically upon creation of original work.
1.3. Ownership of Copyright
Unless otherwise agreed:
- All materials created by staff, volunteers, or contractors for The Boating Association remain the property of the charity
- The charity retains the right to use, reproduce, and distribute such materials
1.4. Use of Third-Party Content
The Boating Association will:
- Only use third-party content with appropriate permission or licence
- Ensure proper attribution is given where required
- Avoid using copyrighted materials without consent
Acceptable sources may include:
- Licensed stock image libraries
- Creative Commons materials (within licence terms)
- Public domain resources
1.5. Responsibilities
Staff / Volunteers & Subscribers must:
- Ensure they have permission before using external content
- Credit original creators when required
- Not copy or distribute copyrighted material unlawfully
- Report any suspected copyright breaches
Management must:
- Provide guidance on copyright compliance
- Ensure appropriate licences are obtained where necessary
- Address breaches promptly
1.6. Digital Content and Website Use
- Website content must not be copied from other sources without permission
- All images and media used online must be properly licensed
- The charity’s logo and branding must not be used externally without approval
1.7. Monitoring and Enforcement
The Boating Association will:
- Monitor use of its intellectual property
- Take appropriate action in cases of misuse or infringement
- Request removal of unauthorised use where necessary
1.8. Breach of Policy
Failure to comply with this policy may result in:
- Removal of content
- Withdrawal of responsibilities
- Disciplinary action where appropriate
- Legal action in serious cases
1.9. Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed annually or as required to ensure compliance with current copyright law and best practice.
Approved by The Boating Association Trustees
Effective Date: 2026-03-20
Review Date: 2026-11-21