Fixing copyright: removing complexity and contradiction from Australia's library and archives exceptions [slides]

Asia-Pacific Library and Information Conference 2018, 30 July - 2 August 2018 Gold Coast: Roar Leap Dare
 
This conference presentation (PowerPoint slides) supports the session on the complexity and inadequacy of Australia’s copyright laws for the digital age. Currently the library and archive provisions are complex and outdated, providing different standards and different rules for different types of materials, institutions and uses. Although in theory most everyday activities of Australia’s cultural institutions should be legal, it is often exceedingly difficult to establish whether this is the case. The scene has already been set by the Copyright Amendment (Disability Access and Other Measures) Act 2017, which made significant improvements to Australia’s preservation, accessibility, education and term provisions; but much still remains to be done.
 
This session will provide:

• the history of library and archive exceptions in Australia
• an overview of the progress of the government review
• an explanation of the recent reforms, and additional proposals for change from Australia’s cultural institutions
• background on the unusual collaborative efforts to reach a unified front with other stakeholders, including publishers and rightsholder advocates
• the context for how Australian reform efforts tie into international moves for best practice exceptions and limitations around the globe