Quality assurance, content design and copyright

Resources created by external organisations

Before submitting materials to Hwb, you should have appropriate quality assurance processes in place.

As part of the review process, you may be asked to provide information about how the resource was developed, reviewed and quality assured.

• Who wrote the content? Are they a subject specialist?

• Has the content been fact-checked by more than one person?

• Has the content been copy-edited by someone other than the author?

• How was the Welsh version created? Did it go to a professional translator?

• When was the resource written and created?

• Has the correct house style been applied when writing the materials? (For materials produced for the Welsh Government, please refer to the GOV.WALES style guide.

• Have all copyrighted images, videos, music and any other materials been cleared for inclusion? For resources created for or by the Welsh Government has the model release form been completed to obtain permission?

• Do the materials take account of issues of representation (such as Welsh and English examples of learners’ work, mix of genders, ethnic minorities) and any accessibility considerations?

Resources developed on behalf of the Welsh Government

Where resources are developed on behalf of the Welsh Government, the Hwb Content Team may be involved during the development process to help ensure the resource meets Hwb publishing requirements. The team can provide advice on:

• improving the format, structure, design and language of content to make it clear, accessible and user-focused

• applying the appropriate house style and Welsh Government content standards

• meeting bilingual requirements and approved translation services

• sourcing and using commissioned materials, such as images, videos and music, including the permissions and model release forms required for their use

• using existing copyrighted materials and obtaining the necessary permissions from copyright holders

• addressing representation and accessibility considerations, including the use of Welsh and English examples of learners’ work

If you are unsure whether your resource is being developed on behalf of the Welsh Government, or have questions about Welsh Government-owned content intended for publication on Hwb, contact the Education Content mailbox at EducationContent@gov.wales.

How to use copyrighted text

What to do

Wherever possible you should create and use your own text in a resource for Hwb.

If another person’s text is being used in a resource this must only be for the purpose of quotation. Any quotation must be:

• accompanied by an appropriate citation

• limited to what is necessary for the purpose of illustrating the point made

What to avoid

• You must not scan textbooks, newspapers, magazines or any other printed material and use it in a resource for Hwb.

• Copying out by hand or typing out text for purposes other than direct quotation.

Copyright for images

Photographs and illustrations, including those found on search engines such as Google Images and Bing Images, are protected by copyright and cannot be used without the permission of the owner.

Some websites, such as Wikimedia Commons, host images for reuse under Creative Commons licenses. Some are ‘public domain’ which are free to use. However, some of these images are subject to ‘attribution’ licenses which require you to credit the copyright owner.

Use sites such as Pixabay, Pexels and Unsplash which have a number of copyright-free and attribution-free images available to download. Search for photographs on Flickr under the filter ‘No known copyright restrictions’.

Copyright for audio and video

What to consider

Audio and video clips are protected by copyright. Do not use them in a resource unless you have:

• created them yourself

• the express permission of the creator

Buying a CD, DVD, Blu-ray or digital file does not give you the right to use the content without restriction. You are only buying the physical media and the right to listen to the music or watch the film for personal use.

As with images, just because a clip is already online doesn’t mean it’s in the public domain and therefore free to use.

What to avoid

• Instead of embedding an online video in your resource, link to the clip on YouTube.

• Take care when using audio clips that you have ‘bought’ online, such as sound effects, as the licence terms may be limited to personal use only.

Further information

For information on copyright, refer to the Copyright Licensing Agency or the Intellectual Property Office.