Anyone wondering about copyright - you'll get all the answers you need here
http://www.ipo.gov.uk/copy.htmHarry - this is the bit relevant to your question...
Infringing other people's copyright
Infringement of copyright occurs where either the whole or a substantial part of a work is used without permission, unless the copying falls within the scope of one of the copyright exceptions. The term substantial part is not defined under copyright law but has been interpreted by the courts to mean a significant part of the work. This does not mean, however, that it needs to be a large part of the work.
Copyright gives the creators of a wide range of material, such as literature, art, music, sound recordings, films and broadcasts, economic rights. It does not protect ideas, or such things as names or titles.
Authors are able to control use of their material in a number of ways, such as:
* making copies
* issuing copies to the public
* performing in public
* broadcasting and use on-line
It also gives moral rights to be identified as the creator of certain kinds of material, and to object to distortion or mutilation of it.
The purpose of copyright is to allow creators to gain economic rewards for their efforts and so encourage future creativity and the development of new material which benefits us all. Copyright material is usually the result of creative skill and/or significant labour and/or investment, and without protection, it would often be very easy for others to exploit material without paying the creator.
Most uses of copyright material therefore require permission from the copyright owner. However there are exceptions to copyright, so that some minor uses may not infringe copyright.
