Using photographs, tabels or figures in the text
Kildekompasset is intended for students and scholars working within the Norwegian copyright legislation. The following text reflects this context. It will differ from the information given in the original publication manual (American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000 )
Please note that links in the text lead to Norwegian-language sources.
Photographs, figures, tables, and similar materials are often protected by The Norwegian Copyright Act: åndsverkloven [only in Norwegian]. To reuse illustrations created by others, you must determine whether your intended use is permitted under copyright law. In addition, you must comply with privacy regulations: information in Norwegaian at Datatilsynet (The Norwegian Data Protection Authority)
If you are still unsure after checking the relevant laws and regulations, you should obtain permission from the copyright holder (see below for guidance on how to do this).
Is it necessary?
Does the illustration provide essential information in addition to the text, or is it merely decorative? Photographs, tables, and figures should contribute something that the text alone cannot provide to the reader.
Copyright and the right to quote
There is no specific rule that states exactly how much material you may use from another source in your work. Åndsverkloven §29 states that quotations must be used in accordance with good academic practice and only to the extent justified by the purpose. This means that you may quote only as much as is necessary in the context in which the source is being used, and no more. It is your responsibility to assess whether your use falls within the provisions of åndsverkloven.
Figures, tables, and other illustrations
A figure, table, or illustration is a visual representation of the creator’s ideas. Such material is often considered a separate copyrighted work, and you do not automatically have the right to reproduce (quote) an entire figure or table.
As a general rule, you must obtain permission before reusing such material. Exceptions may apply if the material has been published under an open licence or if copyright protection has expired.
Photographs and works of art
Published artworks and photographic works may in some cases be included in critical or scholarly works (åndsverkloven §37). You may wish to check with your institution whether your assignment qualifies as a scholarly or critical work under the relevant legislation.
If you are uncertain, it is always advisable to request permission for reuse.
Privacy
Does the photograph include identifiable individuals? If so, you must familiarize yourself with privacy regulations. As a general rule, consent should be obtained before using photographs of people. Read more about privacy at Datatilsynet.
Copyright notice
For all photographs, figures, and tables created by someone other than yourself, you must provide a reference to the creator and include information about permission or rights for use. APA Style provides a copyright-notice template that may be used for this purpose.
In addition, most of these works should also have a standard entry in the reference list. See examples under Photographs and Artwork and Tables and Figures. This requirement applies regardless of which reference style you are using and is not specific to APA Style.
A copyright note in APA Style has the following format:
From Title [Description], by Creator, Publication Date, Publisher (URL). Copyright information.
or
Adapted from Title [Description], by Creator, Publication Date, Publisher (URL). Copyright information.
How do I obtain permission?
You can request permission to use an image, table, or figure by contacting the rights holder. This may be the creator, a publisher, or another party that holds the rights to the material.
It is often best to start by contacting the publisher. Many publishers provide dedicated forms or instructions explaining how to request permission. You may also contact the creator directly, such as the author, photographer, illustrator, or other copyright holder of the work you wish to use.
Responses to permission requests may take time, so it is advisable to begin the process well in advance of your submission deadline.
Glossary
Copyrighted work (åndsverk): A copyrighted work is an independent and creative result of human effort, such as a text, photograph, illustration, piece of music, film, or computer program. To qualify for copyright protection, the work must demonstrate a certain degree of originality.
Copyright (opphavsrett): Copyright is the legal right of the creator of a copyrighted work to control how the work is used. This right arises automatically when the work is created and does not require registration.
Fair practice (god skikk): The requirement of fair practice means that the use of another person’s work must be reasonable, honest, and academically responsible. Even quotations that are otherwise lawful may be unlawful if they are used in a misleading or unreasonable manner.
Adaptation (bearbeidelse): An adaptation is a modified or further developed version of a work. This may include a translation, revision, or conversion to a different medium. Adaptations may still be subject to the rights associated with the original work.
Open licence (åpen lisens): A copyrighted work may be distributed under a licence or terms of use that specify how the work may be used without obtaining additional permission. One widely used open licence is Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY). You should always check whether the licence terms cover your intended use. It is also possible to request permission for uses beyond those permitted by the licence.
Term of protection (vernetid): The main rule is that copyright protection lasts for the lifetime of the creator and for 70 years after their death. See åndsverkloven for further information.
Most of these works should have a regular entry in your bibliography.