21 December 1998

The future of copyright advocacy

Meeting between president and executive director of ALIA, and chair of the National Libraries Copyright Committee regarding the future of copyright advocacy

John Shipp, Virginia Walsh and Tom Cochrane met in Brisbane on 16 December, and discussed the future of copyright advocacy for the Australian library community. These were the main points considered/agreed.

Several external factors make it essential for the advocacy role to be pursued as vigorously as ever. These include the imminent release of part 2 of the CLRC report, the impending exposure draft of digital agenda reforms by the Commonwealth Government, and expectations that have been generated with reference to the ADA initiative.

• ALIA is committed to the provision of a copyright service to its members, particularly the advisory service that is mentioned in ALIA's statement on copyright support.
• Funds remain available for support of the copyright function following the folding up of ACLIS, and arrangements are being made by Derek Whitehead for their custody and future release once an organisational framework for copyright support is agreed.
• Future arrangements would best be considered by a meeting of the Libraries Copyright Committee convened for that purpose.
• Such a meeting should invite the presidents or other executive members of constituent organisations to participate.
• In the immediate future, the National Library of Australia will arrange support for Annabelle Herd as a consultant.
• Future employment arrangements for her and/or any successor will be a major issue at the Libraries Copyright Committee.