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Abstract: In the context of increasingly digitised education, understanding the lawful use of copyrighted material has become essential for academic staff. This study examines university teachers’ awareness of copyright law and its practical application in teaching, particularly in online and distance learning environments. A quantitative survey was conducted among higher education teachers and faculty assistants at a selected Slovenian university using a structured questionnaire. The findings indicate that, although participants generally recognise the importance of copyright law, their practical knowledge—especially in scenario-based teaching situations—varies considerably. More experienced staff reported higher levels of understanding and greater caution in the use of copyrighted material, whereas less experienced staff more frequently reported practices that may fall outside compliant use. Respondents also expressed strong interest in copyright training, yet only a small proportion reported having access to training opportunities within the institution. The study is embedded in the broader legal framework of EU copyright law, in particular Directive (EU) 2019/790, which introduced mandatory exceptions for digital and cross-border teaching. This directive was transposed into Slovenian legislation in 2022. The results underscore the importance of strengthening legal literacy and institutional support mechanisms to facilitate copyright-compliant teaching in digital learning environments.
Keywords: copyright awareness, higher education, teaching materials, copyright law, academic staff training, digital education
Published in RUP: 07.04.2026; Views: 285; Downloads: 6
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