On 29 March 2017, the Copyright Amendment (Disability Access and Other Measures) Bill 2017 (Bill) was introduced to the Senate. The Bill proposes to amend the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth) (Act) to allow for new situations where the use of copyright material will not result in an infringement of copyright, and to change the standard terms of copyright duration. The Bill’s Explanatory Memorandum sets out that these amendments aim to:
“enhance access to copyright material for persons with a disability, … streamline and modernise provisions for the education, libraries and archives sectors of Australia; and harmonise terms of copyright for published and unpublished materials, and allow greater access to and use of culturally valuable materials.”
Uses that do not infringe copyright
The Bill proposes to insert a new Part IVA into the Act which outlines four (4) situations where the use of copyright material will not result in an infringement.
Division 2 – Access by or for persons with a disability
The Act currently permits the making of accessible copies of books and other copyright material under a number of different provisions. The Bill proposes to replace these with two new exceptions. The first is a fair dealing exception for persons with a disability and anyone assisting them. The second is an exception for organisations assisting persons with a disability. The proposed fair dealing exception will set out four factors to determine whether a use of copyright material is a “fair dealing”: the purpose and character of the dealing, the nature of the copyright material, the effect of the dealing upon the potential market for, or value of the material, and the amount and substantiality of the part dealt with taken in relation to the whole material.
Division 3 – Libraries and archives
At current, the Act includes a number of separate exceptions that allow staff of libraries, archives and certain key cultural institutions to make or communicate copies of material in collections for preservation purposes. Presently, a distinction is drawn between preservation copying of works and subject-matter other than works, and also between materials in their original or published form. The Bill proposes to replace these provisions with simpler, uniform provisions that give libraries, archives and prescribed key cultural institutions greater flexibility in copying and digitisation of copyright material, whether published or unpublished, to preserve or administer their collections.
Division 4 – Educational institutions – statutory licence
Statutory licenses are at present dealt with in Parts VA and VB of the Act. The Bill proposes to repeal these provisions and replace them with a simplified system of educational statutory licenses, whereby educational institutions may copy or communicate works and broadcasts provided they agree to pay equitable remuneration to a collecting society.
Division 5 – Collecting societies
The Bill provides a framework for the operation of declared collecting societies under the new statutory licence, including record keeping and reporting requirements.
Duration of copyright
The Bill establishes new standard terms of protection for works, sound recordings and cinematograph films. For works, the Bill proposes a new standard protection period of “life of author plus seventy (70) years” that does not differentiate between works that are made public and those that are not.
For sound recordings and cinematographic films, if the material is made public within fifty (50) years of being made, then copyright subsists for seventy (70) years from the date it was first made public, but if the material is not made public within fifty (50) years of being made, then copyright subsists for seventy (70) years from the date it was made.
Links and further references
Legislation
Copyright Amendment (Disability Access and Other Measures) Bill 2017 (Cth)
Copyright Amendment (Disability Access and Other Measures) Bill 2017 (Cth) – Explanatory memorandum
Further information about copyright
If you need assistance with any aspect of copyright, please telephone me for an obligation free and confidential discussion.
Malcolm Burrows B.Bus.,MBA.,LL.B.,LL.M.,MQLS.
Legal Practice Director
T: +61 7 3221 0013 (preferred)
M: +61 419 726 535
E: mburrows@dundaslawyers.com.au
Disclaimer
This article contains general commentary only. You should not rely on the commentary as legal advice. Specific legal advice should be obtained to ascertain how the law applies to your particular circumstances.
Related insights about copyright
-
IP licences and government transfer duty
Ipso Facto Clauses in commercial contracts are subject to a stay on enforcement as of 1 July 2018. This stay may be extended by a Court, and there are exclusions as prescribed by regulations and declarations.
-
Opposing a trade mark on grounds of bad faith
Court found respondent infringed copyright of Dee Snider’s works, awarding AUD $1.5 million for flagrant, contumelious infringements. Not fair or satirical.
-
Do I have an implied licence for software?
This article examines the implications of a Federal Court case, which awarded over $1.1 million in damages for unlicensed software use. Learn more about the decision and key principles for software licencing that businesses should consider.
-
Case study – intellectual property protection structures
Protect your valuable intellectual property and secure revenue for product development. Learn how Dundas Lawyers can help you create an intellectual property protection structure with potential benefits for your business.
-
A test for the infringement of circuit layout rights
This article explores the legal implications of circuit layouts, such as what qualifies as an eligible layout, the exclusive rights granted, and exceptions to infringement. Learn more by reading the case of Lumen Australia Pty Ltd v Frontline Australasia Pty Ltd [2018] FCA 1807, discussed in the article.
-
What exactly is a Norwich Pharmacal order?
In situations where an innocent third party has information about conduct which may assist a litigant, an applicant apply to the Court to have that third party disclose such information. For example, a bank which has knowledge of a transaction or conduct that would assist a litigant it may be obliged to hand over the…
-
Interlocutory injunctions and damages undertakings
An interlocutory injunction may be sought by a patent owner to stop a defendant from infringing their patent. This article examines the two elements that must be established by an Applicant and the considerations the Court will take into account when making its decision.
-
Calculating account of profits – trade mark infringement
This article examines the calculation of damages when an account of profits is awarded as a remedy for trade mark infringement. It covers the general principle, the proportionality rule, and the deduction of overhead costs.
-
Non-fungible tokens – a new way to hold IP?
Discover the rising phenomenon of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and how they can help protect your Intellectual Property (IP). Learn how NFTs works, its benefits for rights holders, and potential legal issues. Get the full picture here.
