Using Textbooks Legally to Avoid Copyright Issues

In university life, purchasing textbooks is an unavoidable expense, especially when faced with a multitude of costly books. Sometimes, to save money, students might consider photocopying textbooks. However, it’s important to remember that photocopying an entire textbook without authorization is an illegal act of copyright infringement.

According to the Copyright Act, only copying a small portion of a textbook for reasonable purposes that do not significantly impact the market would not constitute infringement. However, photocopying an entire textbook may violate copyright law and lead to legal issues.

To avoid copyright infringement, consider the following options:

• Buying Secondhand Textbooks: Use secondhand book exchanges at school or online platforms to purchase used textbooks at a lower price. You can also sell textbooks that you no longer need.
• Library Resources: Try borrowing copies of the required textbooks from the school library or online libraries, as these copies are often available for student reference.
• Digital Textbooks: Consider using digital versions of textbooks, which may be more affordable than printed versions.

Saving on textbook costs through legal means not only avoids legal risks but also promotes the sustainable use of book resources. Let’s work together to follow the Copyright Act and create an academic environment that respects knowledge and creativity.

Source | Intellectual Property Office, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taiwan