The Interlibrary Loan & Document Delivery service are provided in accordance with the Hong Kong Copyright Ordinance Cap.528 which only allows photocopying of no more than one copy of one article from an issue of a journal; or photocopying of a reasonable portion from a book. The Library reserves the right to refuse any request if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the request would imply violation of the Copyright Ordinance. However, users may request the Library to obtain such materials on their behalf from other document delivery suppliers by paying royalty in addition to the standard cost.
Subsidiary legislation under the Copyright Ordinance (Cap. 528) (effective 1 January 2026)
Two pieces of subsidiary legislation under the Copyright Ordinance (Cap. 528) (the Ordinance), namely the Copyright (Libraries, Museums and Archives—Prescribed Conditions for Making Copy) Regulation and the Copyright (Specified Libraries, Museums and Archives under Sections 47 to 53) Notice, will come into operation on 1 January 2026. Copies of works provided by specified libraries may require the requester to submit a duly completed and signed Declaration Form (click here for sample) to support his/her copying request before any reproduction of the requested copy can be made.
Copyright Declaration required by UK Libraries
In October 2003, the UK copyright law was amended. Users have to sign a separate Declaration Form to ensure your request is only for private study or research that is not for a commercial purpose. Those who are not able to sign may be charged a copyright fee in addition to the standard charge by the UK libraries.