You will not infringe copyright if you use material for the purposes of research, provided that your use is fair.
What constitutes research and fair use?
Research can be through an academic institution or for personal use. The Macquarie dictionary and therefore Copyright Act defines research as
"diligent and systematic enquiry or investigation into a subject in order to discover facts or principles...” and “study” includes:
“(1.) The application of the mind to the acquisition of knowledge, as by reading, investigation, or reflection; (2.) the cultivation of a particular branch of learning, science, or art:...(3.) a particular course of effort to acquire knowledge...(5.) a thorough examination and analysis of a particular subject...” (Australian Copyright Council Information Sheet G53v 07, 2007; 02)
Fair use depends on circumstances
- reasonable portion of text or notated music (10% of the number of pages or one chapter, if the work is divided into chapters
- for text material it is 10% of the number of words or one chapter if the work is divided into chapters.
Can students (university or school) use music in videos that they make?
Yes, but if the music was someone else's work then copying part of a piece of music or recording will in most cases infringe copyright. There are special exception for example if copyright has expired otherwise permission will be required from the music pulisher and/or record company.
More information on copyright laws can be found at
http://www.copyright.org.au/pdf/acc/infosheets_pdf/g053.pdf/download
http://www.copyright.org.au/g038.pdf
