Updating Australia's copyright laws

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We have reviewed feedback received on draft changes designed to simplify and modernise our copyright laws to make them easier for the disability, educational, libraries and archives sectors.

Why we want your input

It will help us better understand how the proposed amendments may impact on you or your organisation.

How you can voice your opinion

You can have your say by providing a written submission.

What will be the outcome of this consultation?

Your feedback will inform the direction of proposed reforms to Australia's copyright laws.

The Issue

Currently, libraries, archives and educational institutions face difficulties in making legitimate use of copyright material because of outdated, prescriptive and overly complex legislation.

Reforms to the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth) and related regulations are needed to ensure these institutions and the Australian community can reasonably access content.

The changes are designed to:

Streamline the educational statutory licence provisions, making it easier and simpler for educational institutions and copyright collecting societies to agree on licensing arrangements for the copying and communication of copyright material.

Provide simple, clear rules for libraries, archives and key cultural institutions to make preservation copies of copyright material.

Align the terms of protection for unpublished works with those for published works to provide libraries, archives and other cultural institutions with greater opportunities to use, and provide public access, to unpublished works.

Ensure that search engines, universities and libraries have ‘safe harbour’ protection if they comply with conditions aimed at reducing online copyright infringement.

Relevant Documentation

Exposure Draft

Published 22nd Dec 2015

Download PDF (239.34 KB) Download DOC (297.5 KB)

Outline of proposed amendments to the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). For an accessible version of this document please contact copyright@communications.gov.au.

Guiding Questions

Published 22nd Dec 2015

Download PDF (824.23 KB) Download DOC (95 KB)

Background and context about the proposed amendments, and questions designed to guide your review / submission.

Outcome

On 15 June 2017, the Parliament has passed changes to Australia’s copyright laws that will improve access to copyright materials for people with a disability, while simplifying and streamlining the copyright framework for the education, library and archive sectors.

The passing of the Copyright Amendment (Disability Access and Other Measures) Bill 2017 to Parliament is an important step in simplifying and modernising the Copyright Act 1968, in response to specific challenges and concerns identified by copyright stakeholders and sectors of the community.

To find out more about the Bill and the changes it will introduce, use the below links:

Explanatory memoranda