☆ (C) moving forwards, but still an obsession with the high seas
Yesterday the Australian Attorney-General Philip Ruddock announced changes to copyright that would allow format shifting. Soon you will be able to rip music from your CDs onto your iPod or mp3 player.
Included in the reform will be the ability to tape TV and radio programs for later playback, but it's not like people didn't already do that.
Also, schools, universities and libraries will also be free to use copyright material non-commerically, there will be a parody and satire exception and new exceptions for people with disabilities to allow access to copyright materials
But despite the positive changes, the government's continual focus on priacy is limiting. Here's a low down on what's to come:
[*] increased surveillance of music downloading
[*] new pay-TV piracy offences added
[*] police ability to issue on-the-spot fines for pirates and access and recover profits made by copyright pirates
[*] courts will be given powers to award larger damages payouts against internet pirates
[*] a change in presumptions in litigation to make it easier to establish copyright piracy
[*] civil infringement proceedings will apply to copyright pirates
Also keep your eyes on the commercial radio broadcasters since the 1% cap on licensing fees paid by them for playing recordings will be removed.
Included in the reform will be the ability to tape TV and radio programs for later playback, but it's not like people didn't already do that.
Also, schools, universities and libraries will also be free to use copyright material non-commerically, there will be a parody and satire exception and new exceptions for people with disabilities to allow access to copyright materials
But despite the positive changes, the government's continual focus on priacy is limiting. Here's a low down on what's to come:
[*] increased surveillance of music downloading
[*] new pay-TV piracy offences added
[*] police ability to issue on-the-spot fines for pirates and access and recover profits made by copyright pirates
[*] courts will be given powers to award larger damages payouts against internet pirates
[*] a change in presumptions in litigation to make it easier to establish copyright piracy
[*] civil infringement proceedings will apply to copyright pirates
Also keep your eyes on the commercial radio broadcasters since the 1% cap on licensing fees paid by them for playing recordings will be removed.