June 26, 2017

The Copyright Agency and Viscopy to merge

After a successful five-year ‘Services Agreement’ between rights management organisations, the Copyright Agency and Viscopy, the two organisations have agreed in principle to begin the formal arrangements to merge. Between them, the two organisations represent some 43,000 members, ranging from visual artists and illustrators to journalists, cartoonists, surveyors, educational authors and publishers. Viscopy Chair, Tim […]

June 22, 2017

Resale royalty right discussed on world stage

In May, the World Intellectual Property Organisation hosted an international conference on the visual artists’ resale right. This landmark event was a milestone in the global campaign to promote international adoption of the right. The Copyright Agency | Viscopy’s Judy Grady presented evidence from Australia’s resale scheme via Skype, to the many artists, policy makers, […]

June 19, 2017

Miles Franklin shortlist named

60 years ago, author Miles Franklin had a vision: to advance and better Australian literature. As the shortlist for the 2017 Miles Franklin Literary Award is revealed, it’s fair to say Miles herself would be delighted to see five first-time nominees, each with their own distinct voice and writing style, recognised in the Award’s jubilee […]

June 16, 2017

Copyright Amendment changes a model for future reform

The Copyright Agency welcomes the passing of the Copyright Amendment (Disability Access and Other Measures) Bill 2017 by the Australian Parliament. The passage of the Bill means it will be even simpler for students to access a huge range of content, libraries will be able to exhibit more material to the Australian public and people […]

June 16, 2017

Open Letter from Writers of Stage and Screen

Australia’s leading writers for stage and screen add their voice to oppose Productivity Commission recommendations on copyright. Did you love Underbelly, Offspring, Rake, Emerald City, The Drover’s Wife, Red Dog, Away, Animal Kingdom or The Secret River? Or Strictly Ballroom, Neighbours, Happy Feet, Don’s Party, Muriel’s Wedding or Babe? As writers telling some of Australia’s best-loved stories across […]

June 10, 2017

Don’t come the raw prawn over creative rights

Iconic Australian playwright David Williamson wrote in The Daily Telegraph on Saturday 10 June about why copyright is so vital to him and why he and 49 of Australia’s leading stage and screenwriters have signed an Open Letter rejecting any relaxation of Australian copyright. “A lot of people used to say to me, you’re lucky to […]

June 9, 2017

NAVA Launches Open Letter to the Australian Government on Copyright

The national peak body protecting and promoting the professional interests of the Australian visual and media arts, craft and design sector, NAVA, is gathering signatures as part of a campaign opposing the Productivity Commission’s recommendation to introduce ‘Fair Use’ in Australia. The recommendations to relax copyright protections with the introduction of the US doctrine of […]

June 6, 2017

Cultural Fund supports 52 ARTISTS 52 ACTIONS: an Artspace initiative

In September 2017, Artspace is set to launch an ambitious project, 52 ARTISTS 52 ACTIONS, commissioning 52 of Australia and the Asia-Pacific’s most exciting artists to develop new work for online exhibition and publication. The Cultural Fund has provided $13,000 to support the program. Every week for a year a different artist will create an […]