The Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society Limited (AMCOS) administers the AMCOS Schools photocopying Licence. This licence allows printed copying of printed musical works (sheet music) by or on behalf of schools. All government schools and most non government schools are covered by this licence.
All copying under the AMCOS licence must be:
Any copying outside the AMCOS licence will require permission from the copyright owner.
Choral Sheet means a separately published small choral work to be sung by a choir or group of singers with or without accompaniment.
Educational purposeincludes a reproduction of a musical print work that is:
Grand Right Works include vocal or other scores form musicals, operas, operettas. music theatre works, ballets, pantomimes and stage shows and large choral works (longer than 20 minutes duration).
Vocal Score means a publication which sets out the musical notation and lyrics of a large choral or vocal work.
The AMCOS licence does not cover copying:
Even if the copies are originally made for a permitted purpose, they cannot be used for the purposes listed above.
for primary and secondary schools.
Primary Schools
Type of musical work |
Permitted no. of copies per original |
|---|---|
| Separately published works | 30 copies in total |
| Vocal score | 30 copies in total |
| Choral Sheet | 5 copies in total |
| Ensemble of orchestral work | 30 copies in total |
| Music Collection | 30 copies in total with a maximum of 3 from a Vocal Score |
| Transcription by hand of melody and/or lyrics of a song | 30 copies in total |
| Transcription by hand of musical work into a different key (Transposition) | 30 copies in total |
| Orchestral/ band set | 30 additional instrumental parts |
Types of musical work |
Permitted no of copies per original |
|---|---|
| Separately published works | 15 copies in total |
| Vocal score | 15 copies in total |
| Choral Sheet | 5 copies in total |
| Ensemble of orchestral work | 30 copies in total |
| Music Collection and Albums | 15 copies in total with a maximum of 3 from a vocal score. |
| Transcription by hand of melody and/or lyrics of a song | 15 copies in total |
| Transcription by hand of musical work into a different key (Transposition) | 15 copies in total |
| Orchestral/ band set | 30 additional instrumental parts |
Educational institutions copying musical works under the AMCOS licence must meet certain marking requirements on the published musical work and its copies.
Original Music
- Number of copies made
- Name of the school
- Date copied
Licensed Copies
- AMCOS licensed copy
- Name of the school
- Date copied
- Copy number in relation to total number of copies eg. 1/5.
It is recommended that schools purchase a stamp with the above wording for Licensed Copies, either from AMCOS or from your local printer. Licensed Copies must be stamped, and it is most important that the number of copies made from the original music is marked on or attached to the music, so that schools can keep a record of the number of copies made from each original.
There are different notice requirements for primary and secondary schools.
The following notice must be photocopied and displayed near photocopiers where sheet music is copied under the AMCOS Licence for educational purposes.
The ORIGINAL MUSIC must be marked by placing on it the words:
All COPIES must be marked by placing on each copy the words:
All copies made remain the property of the school for which they were made.
The following notice must be photocopied and displayed near photocopiers where sheet music is copied under the AMCOS Licence for educational purposes.
15 copies for each separately published work purchased by the School or member of staff.
5 copies for each choral sheet purchased by the School or member of staff.
15 copies of a song from a vocal score purchased by the School or member of staff. A maximum three songs from one vocal score may be copied.
Multiple copies of a part or parts of an instrumental work purchased by the School or member of staff provided that the aggregate number of parts copied does not exceed 30.
15 copies of a work which is not separately published (ie. only available in a collection).
15 copies of a work which is not available for purchase from the School’s supplier.
A transcription of lyrics and melody line or lyrics only of a work purchased by the School or member of staff and thereafter 15 copies of the transcription.
A transcription of a work purchased by the School or member of staff thereafter 15 copies of the transposition.
Replacement copies may be made where copies have been lost, stolen or destroyed but under no circumstances should the total number of copies of each work exceed the permitted number.
NOTE:
The ORIGINAL MUSIC must be marked by placing on it the words:
All COPIES must be marked by placing on each copy the words:
All copies made remain the property of the school for which they were made.
