Review of Copyright Regulations 1969 and the Copyright Tribunal (Procedure) Regulations 1969

We are seeking comments on the draft of the Copyright Regulations 2017 and the Copyright Legislation Amendment (Technological Protection Measures) Regulations 2017.

This is the first time these copyright laws have been reviewed since they were introduced. They are complex and no longer reflect the way people, organisations and the Copyright Tribunal operate in Australia. The new legislation must be fit for purpose, reflect modern language and practises, and reduce red tape where possible.

The Copyright Regulations 2017 will replace the Copyright Regulations 1969 and the Copyright Tribunal (Procedure) Regulations 1969, which are due to sunset (expire) on 1 April 2018.

A draft of the Copyright Legislation Amendment (Technological Protection Measures) Regulations 2017 has also been developed to update the exceptions in the current regulations that allow consumers to bypass a Technological Protection Measure (TPM). Examples include a password or software that controls access to copyright content.

Both updated regulations will also incorporate changes following the successful June 2017 passage of the Copyright Amendment (Disability Access and Other Measures) Act 2017.

You can Copyright.Regulations [at] communications.gov.au (subject: Copyright.Regulations%20Consultation) (email us) if you have any issues raised in the exposure drafts or consultation paper.