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Australian government reviews certain copyright exceptions |
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Written by Felix Da Silva (fdasilva@bitnip.com)
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Wednesday, 19 March 2008 |
 The Australian Government is currently reviewing the operation of two copyright
exceptions which permits photographs and cinematography to be copied in a
different format for private use, subject to certain conditions.
According to their press release, the act of making these copies would otherwise constitute copyright infringement.
Currently, under these copyright exceptions you are permitted to reproduce a photograph in
hard copy form in electronic form or reproduce a photograph in electronic form in
hard copy form.
For example, it is
permissible to print a paper copy from a digital photograph.
Under the current copyright exceptions, the
owner of a video tape containing a cinematography in analogue form is also
permitted to copy the film in electronic form for domestic use.
For example, it is permissible for the owner of a VHS video
cassette to make a digital copy of a film on a DVD or computer hard drive.
A review of these exceptions is now being conducted. An Issues Paper was recently circulated and interested persons were invited
to make submissions addressing:
- whether the copyright exceptions are operating satisfactorily and achieving
their objectives; and
- whether the copyright exceptions should be modified in some way.
With submissions closing at the end of February the copyright review is
expected to be completed by March 31, 2008.
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