The presentation and sharing of information, especially in digital environments, have become significantly easier with information and communication technologies and this has caused an increase in copyright problems. The aim of this study is to reveal the levels of awareness of academic and postgraduate students of copyrights in relation to digital products. The survey model was used in research conducted with the participation of academicians working at different universities in Turkey and postgraduate students in the 2018-2019 academic year. According to the findings, the knowledge level of the participants regarding copyrights, license agreements and fair use is moderate, their knowledge level about open source software, free software and copyleft is low, and they do not commit copyright infringements apart from downloading computer programs. Those working in the field of informatics commit more copyright infringement than others (such as using unlicensed software, distributing license serial numbers, illegally downloading music, videos etc., using without reference), as also do those in the 20-25 age range. The majority of participants stated that policies to prevent infringement of copyright digital products were insufficient, there is a lack of information about enforcement and their reasons for the situation include the belief in not getting caught and no one getting hurt, as well as not seeing it as a crime.
AhmadiASonkarSK (2015) Awareness regarding plagiarism and fair use of copyrighted work: A survey amongst doctoral students of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow. Journal of Information Management, 2(2):98–110.
2.
AkçayırGAkçayırM (2017) Internet use for educational purposes: University students’ attitudes and opinions about copyrights. Educational Technology Theory and Practice, 7 (1):105–121. DOI: 1017943/etku288490
3.
ArliDTjiptonoF (2016) Consumer digital piracy behaviour among youths: insights from Indonesia. Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, 28(5):898–922.
4.
AtılganDKetenB (2008) Açık erişim olgusu ve Ankara Üniversitesi (Open Access Fact and University of Ankara). Information-Documentation Management and Cooperation among the Libraries in the Balkan Countries SymposiumEdirne. Available at: http://eprintsrclisorg/12203/1/Ankara_Universitesi_Bildiri_d%C3%BCzeltilmispdf
5.
BalestrinoA (2008) It is a theft but not a crime. European Journal of Political Economy, 24(2):455–469.
6.
BegumISharmaHK (2018) Piracy: A threat to academicians and publishers. Journal of Intellectual Property Rights, 23:261–269.
7.
BesimoğluC (2007) Akademisyenlerin elektronik dergi kullanımında disiplinler arasındaki farklılıklar (The differences between disciplines in the academisians usage of electronic journals). Master thesis, Hacettepe University, Social Sciences Institute, Turkey. Available at: http://wwwbbyhacettepeedutr/yayinlar/dosyalar/101pdf
8.
CarlosFernández-Molina JMurielEVives-GraciaJRieraPMartínO (2011) Copyright and e-learning: Professors’ level of knowledge about the new Spanish law. Aslib Proceedings, 63(4):340–353.
9.
Cimilli-AkaydınC (2005) İnternet üzerinden telif hakkı ihlalleri(Copyright Infringements on the Internet). Master thesis. İstanbul University, Institute of Social Sciences, Turkey.
10.
ÇelikA (2018) Eğitim fakültesi öğrencilerinin dijital ürünlerle ilgili telif hakları konusundaki farkındalık düzeylerinin incelenmesi (Investigation of faculty of education students’ awareness levels about copyright issues in relation to digital products. Master thesis. Hacettepe University, Institute of Educational Sciences, Turkey. Available at: http://wwwopenaccesshacettepeedutr:8080/xmlui/bitstream/handle/11655/5297/10206387pdf?sequence=1andisAllowed=y
11.
Deveci TopalABudakEÇ (2019) Information literacy skills of social work students. Journal of Learning and Teaching in Digital Age (JOLTIDA), 4(1):15–24.
DolunayABoyrazB (2013) Dijital sanatlar çerçevesinde üretilen eserlerde teknoloji kullanımı ve Internetin sergilemeye etkisi (Technology use in artworks produced within the framework of digital arts and impact of Internet on exhibiting). Journal of the Human and Social Science Researches, 2(3):109–124.
15.
Kanunu (FSEK)Fikir ve Sanat Eserleri (2001) Telif Hakları Genel Müdürlüğü. Available at: http://wwwtelifhaklarigovtr/Kanunlar (accessed 21 June 2019)
16.
GhazaliH (2003) Examining high school students’ views on computer and information ethics. Doctoral dissertation, Kansas State University Department of Foundations and Adult Education College of Education, Manhattan, USA.
HainesLLeonardLNK (2007) Individual characteristics and ethical decision-making in an IT context. Industrial Management & Data Systems, 107(1):5–20.
20.
IşkınS (2018). Elektronik yayıncılıkta telif haklarının korunması üzerine bir araştırma(A research on copyright protection in electronic publishing). Master thesis, İstanbul Gelişim University, Institute of Social Sciences, Turkey.
21.
JackmanMLordeT (2014) Why buy when we can pirate? The role of intentions and willingness to pay in predicting piracy behavior. International Journal of Social Economics, 41(9):801–819.
22.
KariithiNK (2011) Is the devil in the data? A literature review of piracy around the world. The Journal of World Intellectual Property, 14(2):133–154.
LauWWYuenAH (2014) Internet ethics of adolescents: Understanding demographic differences. Computers and Education, 72:378–385.
26.
MorrisRGHigginsGE (2010) Criminological theory in the digital age: The case of social learning theory and digital piracy. Journal of Criminal Justice, 38(4):470–480.
27.
OliverBGoerkeV (2007) Australian undergraduates’ use and ownership of emerging technologies: Implications and opportunities for creating engaging learning experiences for the Net Generation. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 23(2):171–186.
28.
ÖzenÜ (2002) Akademisyenlerin yazılım korsanlığına ilişkin tutumları üzerine bir araştırma (A research on academics’ attitudes towards software piracy). Atatürk Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Dergisi, 16(3-4):245–266.
29.
PeaceGGallettaDFThongJYL (2003) Software piracy in the workplace: A model and empirical test. Journal of Management Information Systems, 20(1):153–177.
30.
SertM (2008) Elektronik belgeler ve telif hakları (Electronic documents and copyrights). Master thesis. Marmara University, Institute of Turkic Studies, Turkey.
TontaY (2002) Elektronik Kaynaklarda Yasal Sorunlar Elektronik kaynaklarda yasal sorunlar. PULMAN-XT Türkiye Ulusal Toplantısı, Milli Kütüphane, Ankara, Turkey
35.
YooCWSandersGWRheeCChoeYC (2014) The effect of deterrence policy in software piracy: Cross-cultural analysis between Korea and Vietnam. Information Development,30(4), 342–357.
