Copyright in the Workplace: What you need to know and how CLA’s new course can help

July 31, 2025 By Taylor Macdonald

In today’s work environment, content is everywhere, from articles and websites to reports, books, and even AI generated outputs. But with this abundance comes a growing need for awareness around copyright. Our recent webinar, “Copyright in the Workplace: What You Need to Know and How CLA’s New Course Can Help”, brought together our internal experts to explore copyright compliance and training in the workplace.

Content use

The session began with a live poll asking attendees what types of content they use in their day-to-day roles. The results revealed a broad and varied content landscape. Websites were the most frequently used, with 79 responses, followed by articles (62), subscription papers (27), books and journals (21 each), and periodicals (13).

“Websites are by far the most commonly used content type, cited by nearly all respondents,” noted Rachel Brownlie, CLA Licensing Executive. “But what’s striking is the sheer variety, professionals are drawing from a wide range of sources, each with its own copyright implications.”

Rachel went on to share findings from CLA’s broader research, which showed that 59% of UK professionals regularly use five or more different titles to support their work. These include 36% using print or online news media, 29% using books or ebooks, 37% relying on industry and trade publications, and 48% turning to government sources.

“This tells us that published content is a vital tool for knowledge and decision-making,” Rachel explained. “But it also means we’re engaging with a wide variety of sources, each carrying its own copyright risks.”

AI and copyright

As generative AI tools become more common in the workplace, copyright risks are evolving. CLA’s survey of nearly 4,000 UK professionals found that 82% of those using AI tools have included third-party content in their prompts. Additionally, 81% of the content used in the workplace is digital or web-based, and 72% of professionals agree that copyright infringement is a real concern.

“Digital content is easier to access, copy, and share, but also easier to misuse,” said Rachel. “Every time we use published content, we’re engaging with the output of someone’s creativity, time, and expertise. Using that content responsibly helps sustain a healthy creative ecosystem.”

Introducing CLA’s Copyright in the Workplace Course

Mary Cormack, Senior Marketing Manager, and Clair Gordon, Product Manager, introduced CLA’s new Copyright in the Workplace course. This cross-departmental training solution is intended to elevate copyright awareness across organisations.

“This course is designed to bridge knowledge gaps and reduce infringement risks,” said Mary. “Just as your teams engage in cybersecurity awareness, GDPR, and EDI training, this course supports compliance and governance frameworks organisation wide.”

The course includes an engaging, scenario-based learning journey set in the fictional town of Boroughby, interactive decision-making with a traffic light system to guide users, and a certificate of completion with CPD certification.

The Copyright Companion

A standout feature of Copyright in the Workplace is the Copyright Companion, an online tool that helps users apply CLA Business Licence permissions to everyday workplace scenarios.

“The companion enables you to run through the specific situation you’re in, providing tailored answers and guidance,” shared one of our test pilot users. “The combination of the course and companion resource creates a supportive ecosystem for the user.”

Clair added, “We understand that most people won’t take the course more than once, so the companion is designed to be a handy tool to refer back to when you’re unsure of how and what you can share with colleagues.”

Practical steps for organisations

The webinar concluded with actionable advice for embedding copyright awareness:

Start with the Copyright in the Workplace course– It’s designed to give staff the confidence and clarity they need to use content responsibly in their day-to-day work.
Have a clear copyright policy– Make sure your organisation has a policy in place that outlines expectations and responsibilities.
Raise awareness about your licence– Many organisations already have a CLA licence in place, but not everyone knows about it.
Include copyright when onboarding– Make copyright part of your company induction process. This signals that your organisation takes it seriously and helps new starters get off on the right foot.
Link it to your ESG, governance and compliance framework– Promoting responsible content use supports these goals and is a great way to show that your organisation values ethical and sustainable practices.

These tips are simple but powerful, and they can make a real difference in how copyright is understood and applied across your organisation.

Is copyright training needed?

The webinar highlighted a clear and growing need for copyright education in the workplace. With digital content use on the rise and AI tools adding new layers of complexity, organisations must ensure their teams are equipped to navigate copyright responsibly. CLA’s new course and companion tool offer a practical, engaging solution, empowering employees to use content confidently and compliantly, while supporting a culture of respect for creators and their work.

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