This Volunteering template has been produced by our Sustainable Volunteering Officer, Eleanor, to protect your museum’s copyright. Copyright is an automatic right protecting original work which falls under the category of literary, dramatic, musical and artistic work (including illustration and photography). Sound, music, film,  television and oral history recordings are also covered.

If you are working with volunteers who are carrying out work which fall under any of the above categories, for example, taking photography of museum objects as part of a digitisation project. It is advisable that volunteers sign a ‘Deed of assignment of copyright’ before they start their voluntary work.

Adapt this document to correspond to your own guidelines, working practices, logo and policies.

If you have any questions about our Volunteering resources or cannot find something specific you are looking for, then please get in touch.

[This is a template. Adapt this document to correspond to your own guidelines, working practices, logo and policies.]

Deed of Assignment of Copyright Agreement (Volunteers)

In order for your work to be used fully for [museum name] purposes, we ask you to sign this Deed of assignment of copyright agreement.

Work is defined as anything you create or invent during your time as a volunteer at [museum name], including any work you created or invented at [museum name] before signing this Deed.

  • I hereby fully and permanently transfer to the Trustees of [museum name] all copyright and rights in the nature of copyright in my Work.
  • I understand I may still make use of such Work for my own non-commercial research or private study.
  • In addition, I consent for my Work to be edited, adapted or altered by [museum name].
  • I understand that [museum name] may not always be able to credit me in any reproductions or use of the Work.

This Deed shall be governed by and is subject to English and Welsh law and the parties agree to accept the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of England and Wales.

By ticking this box, I confirm I have read and understood the terms of this Agreement

Full Name of Volunteer (print)____________________________________

Signature of Volunteer _________________________________________

Date ______________________________________________________

Address of Volunteer __________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

Signed in the presence of a witness

Full Name of witness (print)______________________________________

Signature of witness ____________________________________________

Date ________________________________________________________

 The personal data on this form will be used by [museum name] for the sole purpose of managing copyright.  It will not be passed to a third party without your permission.  All data will be held in strict compliance with the Data Protection Act 2018.

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