Copyright awareness and compliance: a systematic review of practices and emerging roles of the LIS community

Purpose Copyright laws have a significant impact on higher education, as it is crucial for teachers, students and university libraries to use copyrighted material ethically and legally. With the recent growth of the digital environment, copyright has become increasingly important. This study aims to investigate the levels of knowledge and attitudes toward copyright among teachers, students and librarians, as well as the role of libraries and library schools in promoting copyright compliance. Design/methodology/approach A systematic review approach was used following PRISMA guidelines. The authors used four major scholarly databases to extract the maximum relevant studies. Following the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 27 studies were included in this review. The authors also performed a quality assessment to evaluate the quality of included studies. Findings The findings reveal that copyright remains a persistent issue, and existing research indicates that students, faculty members and library professionals require more structured training on various aspects of copyright law. These include national regulations, digital licensing, international copyright institutions and legislation, as well as emerging copyright-related issues and challenges. The evidence points to significant gaps in awareness that need to be addressed through curriculum updates, strengthened institutional policies and targeted professional development programs. Libraries, in particular, have a critical role to play in promoting copyright awareness, ensuring compliance and advocating for responsible use of information, especially in the context of emerging copyright challenges in the digital era. Research limitations/implications This study provides implications for better practices of copyrights among the academic fraternity. The roles of universities, libraries, Library and Information Science (LIS) schools’ and professional associations have been identified to protect copyright through curriculum revision, information literacy instructions, training programs and using various online learning platforms. Originality/value This comprehensive review identified the need for cohesive collaborative efforts among key stakeholders, including universities, libraries, LIS schools and associations equipping students, faculty and professionals with the necessary knowledge, skills and expertise to navigate the complexities of copyright law, including in traditional academic settings and in the evolving digital landscape.