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Course title

Intellectual Property Law for Courseware in Singapore

Ownership, licensing and permitted use under Singapore law

Overview

Courseware is frequently a training provider's most valuable asset, yet its ownership is rarely documented. This workshop examines how the Copyright Act 2021 applies to curriculum materials and how to secure those assets in practice.

Disputes typically arise when a developer, trainer, or client relationship ends and no party can demonstrate who owns the materials. The answer depends on the statute and on what was agreed in writing, and many providers discover too late that neither favours them.

The session moves from authorship and ownership under Singapore law to the lawful use of third-party material, and concludes with the contractual terms that protect courseware when personnel and partners change. The content constitutes general guidance and does not replace legal advice on a specific matter.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the workshop, you will be able to

  1. 01

    Determine the ownership of courseware under the Copyright Act 2021 across employment, commissioned, and collaborative arrangements.

  2. 02

    Evaluate the lawful use of third-party images, videos, and extracts, and document the permissions required for course applications to the Skills and Workforce Development Agency (SWDA).

  3. 03

    Draft ownership, assignment, and licence terms for developers, trainers, and client engagements.

  4. 04

    Implement safeguards that protect courseware and confidential information when personnel and partners depart.

Programme

What you will learn

Part 1 · 2 modules

The law in Singapore

1.1Copyright and courseware
  1. (a)The Copyright Act 2021 and what it protects
  2. (b)Originality and the line between ideas and expression
  3. (c)How long protection lasts
1.2Ownership
  1. (a)The author as first owner
  2. (b)Works made in the course of employment
  3. (c)Commissioned courseware and why written terms matter
  4. (d)Assignments and licences in writing

Part 2 · 2 modules

Using other people's work

2.1Third-party material
  1. (a)Images, videos and extracts in learner guides
  2. (b)Fair use and its four factors
  3. (c)Why educational exceptions rarely cover commercial providers
  4. (d)Copyright permissions in SWDA course applications
2.2Attribution
  1. (a)The right of creators to be identified
  2. (b)Crediting sources in courseware

Part 3 · 2 modules

Protecting your courseware

3.1Contracts
  1. (a)Developer and subject-matter expert agreements
  2. (b)Trainer agreements and the return of materials
  3. (c)Client licences and permitted use
3.2Beyond copyright
  1. (a)Confidential information
  2. (b)Course titles and trade marks
  3. (c)Generative AI and the ownership of outputs

Who should attend

  • Owners and directors of training providers
  • Curriculum developers and freelance designers
  • Trainers who develop their own materials
  • Legal and compliance staff

In-house delivery

Tailored for your organisation.

Delivered at your offices or conducted virtually, each run is customised around your active course portfolio and internal operating procedures.

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