An overview of recent changes in copyright

Most of you are aware that in Australia copyright law is based on the Copyright Act, 1968. The act sets out the materials that will be protected by law and the rights the owners of copyright material can exercise. Schools and libraries are allowed exceptions from copyright infringement under statutory licenses to facilitate study, research and education. Copyright law is always a balancing act between the monopoly rights that creators and creative industries enjoy, and the advancement of knowledge in the community.

Copyright law isn’t static, and the last two years have seen much reform to keep pace with:

• the changing ways people are using information; and
• advances in communication technology.

For our school it is important that we all understand the changes in copyright law and its operation at a local level. The three significant areas of change follow.