Copyright

The Copyright Amendment (Online Infringement) Act 2015 allows copyright owners to apply to the Federal Court to order internet service providers to block access to an online location operated Australia with the primary purpose of infringing (or facilitating infringement of) copyright content. In February 2018, the Department began reviewing the operation of the Online Infringement Amendment.

Copyright safe harbour legislation

In May 2017 the Australian Government undertook further consultation with stakeholders on the extension of the safe harbour provisions in the Copyright Act 1968.

On 6 December 2017 the Government introduced the Copyright Amendment (Service Providers) Bill into Parliament. The Senate Standing Committee on Environment and Communications reviewed the Bill and its final report, released on 19 March 2018, supported passage of the Bill. The Australian Government tabled its response to the report on 9 May 2018.

On 27 June the Bill passed the Parliament, and the Copyright Amendment (Service Providers) Act 2018 received Royal Assent on 29 June. The provisions will come into effect on 29 December 2018.

Marrakesh Treaty Implementation

The Marrakesh treaty aims to give people who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise print disabled greater access to works published in accessible formats, such as print, braille and audio.

On 22 December 2017, amendments under the Copyright Amendment (Disability Access and Other Measures) Act 2017 came into effect which simplify the exceptions that allow people with a disability, and those organisations assisting them, to make accessible copies of copyright material. These new exceptions apply to all forms of copyright material, including works, sound recordings, films and television and sound broadcasts. The Department continues to work on improvements in this area by participating in the Australian Inclusive Publishing Initiative, which is an industry initiative that aims to make 'inclusive by design' works a reality for Australian readers with a print disability.

The Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) and the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA) are not-for-profit organisations which collect payments for people who create sounds.

We do not manage a whole-of-government agreement with these organisations, but below, you can access an example of an individual government agency agreement with APRA. This agreement can be used as a model for other agencies that use lyrics or publically perform musical works:

• APRA AGD model agreement
• APRA AGD information sheet.

Copies of these documents can be obtained by copyright [at] communications.gov.au (subject: APRA%20AGD%20model%20agreement%20and%20information%20sheet) (contacting us).