Re: Copyright in management models

Sue Final <smf3[_at_]york.ac.uk> wrote:
>
> Does anyone have a view on the use of various management models, for
> example in course materials for a Management Course? It seems to
> me that the theoretical side of the model is not protected, but what
> about the diagram that is normally employed to demonstrate the ideas?
> (eg Mazlow hierarchies etc)
>
> These models seem to be so ubiquitous, can it really be the case that
> every author/publisher of a textbook etc has to have clearances for
> the use of each theory illustrated?
>
> Would be glad of your thoughts

The diagrams will almost certainly be protected by copyright, and consent from the copyright owner will be required if you intend to copy these.

You are right to say that the "ideas" behind the printed matter and diagrams are not protected by copyright, and in principle if you can illustrate these "ideas" by other means then you are free to do so. But tread carefully; copying of a "substantial" part of the original will amount to infringement, and "substantial" will be viewed in qualitative as well as quantative terms. You will need to show that only the "ideas" have influenced you, and that you have not copied the text or diagrams used previously to illustrate the theory. The safer bet is to seek copyright clearance (always assuming that your intended use does not benefit from one of the "educational" exemptions to copyright infringement in sections 32-36 of the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988).

-- 
Simon Smith
Paris Smith & Randall
http://www.parisol.co.uk
<ssmith[_at_]parisol.co.uk>