Australian Libraries Copyright Committee welcomes government response to IP inquiry

The Australian Libraries Copyright Committee (ALCC) has welcomed the government’s response to the Productivity Commission inquiry into intellectual property, labelling its recommendations ‘a good start to the implementation of vital changes to our copyright system’.

The ALCC noted the government’s commitment to consulting on the best way to implement recommendations on orphan works, contracts and fair use; and its ongoing consultation on the expansion of copyright safe harbours.

‘Importantly, the Government has fully supported the Commission’s recommendation that Australian governments should implement an open access policy for publicly funded research, ensuring it is freely available to the public within 12 months of its publication,’ the ALCC said. ‘Particularly encouraging is the Government’s commitment to ensuring the copyright system is flexible enough to accommodate the rapid technological changes of the modern era, and acknowledgement that our current system often prohibits reasonable activities that should be allowed.’

The ALCC also welcomed the government’s review of the governance arrangements for collecting societies.

Category: Library news