Survey Shows Australian Copyright Laws In Need Of Update

by Mary Swire, for LawAndTax-News.com, Hong Kong

19 November 2003

A survey of the Australian music industry recently conducted by industry service firm, Immedia has revealed that the majority of respondents (81%) believe that the country's copyright laws with regard to the copying of music need to be updated.

200 music industry professionals (including musicians, songwriters, artists, managers, music students, record company staff, and music media personnel) were questioned for the poll, entitled 'Music - The Business, Law and Technology Report', at the recent AustralAsian Music Business Conference.

Of those polled, 55% said that they considered unfair a provision within the current law making it illegal to make back-up copies of CDs already purchased, or to make compilations for personal use.

In total, 81% suggested that the Australian Copyright Act should be changed to allow 'fair use' of CDs, i.e. personal copying of purchased material, but not of borrowed CDs or downloaded music.

Speaking following the release of the results, Immedia music analyst, Phil Tripp observed that the results of the survey are likely to provoke fierce debate.

"We hope it creates more of a dialogue within the industry on these issues as a whole and an understanding of how we use technology, how we buy and use music as well as creating an awareness of opinions beyond those of industry associations that merely serve as trade groups for manufacturers, copyright holders or distributors," he announced.

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