Related to the question of plagiarism are regulations around copyright and copyright laws. While the LAW N° 31/2009 OF 26/10/2009 on the protection of intellectual property regulates copyright issues in Rwanda, a useful text on it is additionally found in the Writing Guide developed by four Swedish universities.

Rwanda Copyright Law

LAW N° 31/2009 OF 26/10/2009 on the protection of intellectual property

This law regulates copyright issues in Rwanda, providing protection for creators and establishing guidelines for use of copyrighted materials.

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Writing Guide

A useful text on copyright is found in the Writing Guide developed by four Swedish universities.

This guide provides practical advice on copyright issues in academic writing and research.

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Key Copyright Concepts

What is Copyright?

Legal protection for original works of authorship, including literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works.

Who Owns Copyright?

Generally the creator owns copyright, but UR's IP policy governs works created by staff and students.

Duration

In Rwanda, copyright generally lasts for the life of the author plus 50 years after death.

Copyright in Teaching

  • Limited amounts of copyrighted works may be used for teaching under fair use/fair dealing provisions
  • Course packs require copyright clearance
  • Linking to licensed library resources is preferable to making copies
  • Creative Commons licensed materials can be freely used with attribution

Copyright in Research

  • As an author, you own the copyright in your research outputs
  • Publishing agreements often transfer some rights to publishers
  • You can negotiate to retain rights, such as the right to self-archive
  • Open access publishing allows broader reuse of your work

Need Help with Copyright?

Contact us for guidance on copyright issues in research and teaching.

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