According to the World Intellectual Property Organization, copyright (or author’s right) is a legal term used to describe the rights that creators have over their literary and artistic works. Works covered by copyright range from books, music, paintings, sculpture, and films, to computer programs, databases, advertisements, maps, and technical drawings.

In mainland China, the fair use of copyrighted materials is in accordance with the Copyright Law of the People’s Republic of China.

Using the Library’s Resources is a privilege with associated responsibilities for all users. Users of the Library of CUHK-Shenzhen must meet the fair use guidelines when using library resources. The guideline applies to all library users, including academics, staff and students. Please pay attention to and comply with the following regulations.

In General

Any distribution of library resources among non-CUHK-Shenzhen users is prohibited.

Any use of library resources for commercial purposes is prohibited.

In Particular

Print Books & Journals

It is required to photocopy no more than 10% of an entire book, a chapter of a book, or a single article from a journal issue (if it is less than 10%). Photocopying the entire copyrighted book or other copyrighted materials is prohibited. Photocopies are only available for the Library of CUHK-Shenzhen users’ personal use.

Discs

Content from DVDs or CDs should remain in private use, or with the expansion of classroom use for educational purposes, in accordance with the Copyright Law of the People’s Republic of China.

Electronic Resources

The electronic resources of the Library of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, refer to those subscribed by the Library, including databases, e-journals, e-books, etc. (abbreviated as " E-resources " in the following part).

Library users must meet the “In General” guidelines when using E-resources. In addition, please pay attention to and comply with the following guidelines.

1. Student users, whether enrolled or after graduation, and employee users, whether employed or after resignation, are obligated to maintain the confidentiality of data information obtained through the Library.
2. Data information downloaded from E-resources subscribed by the Library to local storage devices should be used within the validity period available for these E-resources. Users need to delete the downloaded data after an E-resource has exceeded its validity period as requested by the vendor.
3. Any distribution of E-resources and access to E-resources among users who are not granted permission to use these E-resources is prohibited.
4. Any continuing, concentrated, and excessive downloading of E-resource of the Library, especially downloading of the Library electronic resources via any software or tools, is prohibited. 
5. Setting up a proxy server to access the library E-resources without the permission of the Library is also prohibited.
6. If users need to use E-resources with specific regulations, please contact the Library for the relevant guidelines.

Violation

Violation of the above guidelines for the first time will result in the suspension of the violator’s privilege of using the library, including accessing library space and checking out library materials, for a one-month period. Violation for the second time may lead to permanent loss of the privilege of using the library.

Email notice of the violation and its effect will be sent to the violator and copied to the director of the Office of Student Affairs, the office of the violator’s School, the office of the violator’s College, and any other authority concerned.

For violations that may cause severe legal consequences, the violator is subject to all the legal obligations, and is responsible for the compensation for the loss of the university.