5 May 2004

Copyright Tribunal supports CAL as collecting society for surveyors

ASCCL application rejected

The Copyright Tribunal today rejected the application from Australian Spatial Copyright Collections Ltd (ASCCL) to be declared as the collecting society in respect of copying of surveyors’ plans by governments. 

Copyright Agency Limited (CAL), the respondent in the case, has been endorsed by the Tribunal as the applicant likely to better represent the copyright interests of surveyors.

Michael Fraser, Chief Executive Officer, CAL, said “This decision is a good result for surveyors. We now have certainty for surveyors across Australia that CAL is the organisation best able to perform the function of a collecting society for surveyors”. 

His Honour Justice Lindgren, President of the Copyright Tribunal, said in his decision “CAL has, over a long period, accumulated expertise and experience in operating as a national collecting society”.  

Michael Fraser said, “The decision means CAL can continue working to provide creators, including surveyors, with the best possible management of their copyright interests.

“CAL appreciates the extensive support it has received from surveyors’ professional associations.

“We want to keep working in partnership with surveyors and their professional associations so that their rights are recognised and access to their work is provided on an equitable basis.

“Copyright management is more important than ever as surveyors’ maps and plans, along with other types of works, are increasingly being copied and digitally communicated in new ways”, said Michael Fraser.

The judgement is available from http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/ACopyT/2004/1.html

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Tel: 02 9394 7600

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