ownership
of copyright · infringement
of copyright · copying
overseas · links
The 20/20 Summit , Canberra , 19-20 April
CAL has ensured the copyright message plays a part in this important national discussion, submitting a briefing paper to members of the “Towards a creative Australia : the future of arts, film and design” session.
To read more about the 20/20 summit and this particular session, go to http://www.australia2020.gov.au/topics/creative.cfm
Copyright and Australian creativity: past, present and future.
CAL's 11,000 +publisher and author members create original Australian literary and educational texts which reflect and enhance our unique and rich culture. As a mid-sized, developed country, Australia has an obligation to ensure a vibrant local publishing sector to communicate our cultural wealth to future generations. We are a multi-cultural and diverse country particularly well placed to position ourselves on the world stage as an exporter of distinct quality works, provided the policies supporting the creative industries are carefully crafted.
Decades ago the Australian government showed foresight in implementing statutory licences to address the needs of educators to access copyright works while recognising and protecting the rights of authors and publishers to be rewarded for the use of their works. These licences, envied by foreign educators and creators for their efficiency and fairness, have benefited the Australian educational sector – ensuring Australian students have access to the best works from around the world, and particularly Australian works, while remunerating copyright owners for this use. The remuneration collected and distributed by CAL back to Australian creators (almost $600 million to date) is an incentive for future production of Australian works, which in turn can be used by the educational and broader Australian community.
To ensure Australia 's publishing industry flourishes into the future, legislative frameworks which underpin this important sector are fundamental. Copyright laws are essential to provide incentive for publishers and authors to commit to the creation of original works in the future.
What does Australia need to encourage innovation in a digital environment?
CAL urges for adequate protection of Australian creators' original works in the digital environment – creating security will encourage greater investment in the publishing industry. This will also lead to the development of efficient online trade of copyright works – benefiting both consumers and creators of texts.
Without adequate security, authors' and publishers' works are susceptible to piracy, and the flow-on is diminished incentive for them to create new works to be accessed by Australian and foreign users. This would see Australia as a secondary market for US and UK publications, rather than an exporter of Australian works into these markets. This is not in the national interest.
How can Australia ensure the publishing industry commits to investing in the creation of new original works?
It is critical for Australia to create an environment where creativity is nurtured.
Apart from building on current success, CAL suggests expansion of the successful statutory licensing system into the corporate sector. This would provide this sector with simple mechanisms for compliance with copyright laws when they access published works, while ensuring those who have created them are rewarded for this use.
In addition, Australia should use its position as a developed nation and leader in the Asia-Pacific to negotiate copyright laws to support authors and publishers across the region. Australia should use Free Trade Agreement negotiations with our neighbours to ensure appropriate access and protection of copyright works in the fastest growing markets in the world.