The free trade agreement and copyright - implications for libraries

ALIA Qld Library Technician Group seminar, 16 February 2005

Sharon Uthmann QUT Library

Tom Joyce

Lightning flickered around the Great Dividing Range highlighting the city skyscrapers as the 40 odd attendees gathered to hear Tom Joyce, UQ copyright officer, provide an insight into the FTA and copyright with regard to libraries.

After meeting, snacking, drinking and networking, Tom presented us with his thoughts and the main ammendments the FTA has bought to copyright. These included:

The extension of the copyright term from 50 to 70 years;
The new performers rights;
New penalities for removing/altering electronic rights management information;
New penalities for use of broadcasting decoding devices;
New incentives for ISP's to take down infringing material;
Criminal penalities for large scale copyring piracy.

As far as libraries are concerned, Tom felt that little would change in the day-to-day running of the library. He felt that a lot of the possible copyright issues that come with electronic databases, are overridden by license agreements.

More was discussed and this can be viewed via Tom's presentation.

Thanks to Sue Sawyer and Anna Drew (UQ Library) for arranging Tom to speak with us, and for hosting us! Thanks also to the ALIA Qld Library Technician committee for assisting in the organization.

Librarians and library technicians networking prior to Tom's presentation

back

A a