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Copyright organisations and legislation

Legislation and Government

General Information Sources and Advisory Bodies
 

Australian Copyright Council The Australian Copyright Council’s objectives are to:
  • assist creators and other copyright owners to exercise their rights effectively.
  • raise awareness in the community generally about the importance of copyright.
  • research and identify areas of copyright law which are inadequate or unfair.
  • seek changes to law and practice to enhance the effectiveness and fairness of copyright.
  • foster cooperation amongst bodies representing creators and owners of copyright.
The Australian Digital Alliance (ADA) The ADA is a non-profit coalition of public and private sector interests formed to promote balanced copyright law and provide an effective voice for a public interest perspective in the copyright debate.
UNISA is a member of the ADA.
Australian Libraries Copyright Committee The ALCC is the main consultative body and policy forum for the discussion of copyright issues affecting Australian libraries and archives. It considers the impact of copyright law reform on Australian libraries and archives and provides advice to the Federal Government on how to maintain a balance between reasonable access to creative works for copyright users on the one hand and an incentive for copyright creators and owners on the other.
Universities Australia (previously The Australian Vice Chancellors’ Committee (AVCC)) The Universities Australia Information Resources and Copyright Unit has responsibility for the development of policy and the analysis of issues relevant to copyright, intellectual property and information resources and delivery as these matters affect Universities.
A major area of responsibility of the Unit is the monitoring of Government legislation and policies with implications for the ownership and use of copyright materials by staff and students in Universities. Universities Australia represents all Universities at copyright licence negotiations and conducts regular informative meetings, which University staff attend as required.

 

Copyright and Collecting Societies


Artistic Works

Visual Arts Copyright Collection Agency (Vi$copy) Royalty collection society that represents the interests of illustrators, designers, photographers, sculptors, craftspeople, printmakers and indigenous artists across Australia.
Australian Institute of Professional Photography Member organisation for professional photographers, which could assist identifying owners of copyright in photographs or locating copyright owners.


Films and Off-Air Broadcasts

Screenrights Links rights holders in film and television to the people who use their work. Screenrights assists where it is difficult or impossible to negotiate individual copyright clearances, ensuring that the people who want to use film and television can do so, provided they make a fair payment for this use.
Australian Film CommissionFor ownership details of films, documentaries, etc.
Film AustraliaFor ownership details of films, etc.
ScreensoundInformation on historical items, government items, etc.


Literary Works

Unpublished items Contact authors - permission is still required.
Copyright Agency LimitedAn Australian copyright management company whose role is to provide a bridge between creators and users of copyright material. CAL represents authors, journalists, visual artists, photographers and newspaper, magazine and book publishers as their non-exclusive agent to license the copying of their works to the general community.
Australian Society of AuthorsRepresents authors and publishers. A resource for locating unpublished authors.
Australian Publishers AssociationBody representing Australian publishers which provides direct contact details. Links to publishing companies and organisations worldwide.
Business Software Association of Australia Association represents software companies, and provides information on piracy issues.


Music

Australasian Performing Right Association Limited (APRA) APRA administers the performing rights (performance in public and communication to the public) in music of the world's composers, songwriters and publishers in Australia and New Zealand. In practice, the organisation's clients are radio and television stations, pay-television operators, venues playing music and, increasingly, on-line businesses using music in some form.
APRA’s aims are to ensure that:
  • licences for the exercise of performing rights in music are as accessible and reasonable as possible.
  • writers and publishers are paid the royalties to which they are entitled as quickly and efficiently as possible.
  •  While APRA and AMCOS manage separate copyright rights of their members, APRA manages the affairs of AMCOS.
Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS) AMCOS represents virtually all music publishers in Australia and New Zealand and, by way of reciprocal arrangements, the vast majority of the world's composers, writers and music publishers.
AMCOS on behalf of music publishers grants licences for the reproduction (copying) of musical works.
Australian Record Industry Association (ARIA) Provides contact details of music publishers and record companies - a useful resource for making direct contact with owners.
Phonographic Performance Company of Australia Administers the licensing arrangements with regard to performance and broadcasting rights in sound recordings.


For more information contact the University Copyright Officer

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