Past copyright reforms and consultations
You can find information on this page about the following past copyright reforms and consultations.
Copyright roundtable meetings 2023
Across 2023 we held a series of roundtables with key stakeholders on copyright priorities and emerging issues. The purpose of these discussions was to develop practical and achievable copyright reform proposals for the government to consider and potentially take forward with broad stakeholder support.
Fourth roundtable on copyright – 4 December 2023
On 4 December 2023, the Attorney-General chaired the fourth and final roundtable on copyright for the year in Canberra. Participants reflected on the outcomes of previous roundtables and potential next steps on each of the 5 reform issues discussed in detail this year, should the government decide to take them forward.
Read a high-level summary of the outcomes of the fourth roundtable and the outcomes paper for each of the 5 main issues discussed throughout 2023.
Third roundtable on copyright – 28 and 29 August 2023
On 28 and 29 August 2023, we hosted the third roundtable on copyright in Canberra. Participants discussed issues including:
- the implications of artificial Intelligence (AI) for copyright law
- the definition of ‘broadcast’ for the purposes of the Copyright Act 1968 (the Copyright Act).
Read a high-level summary of the outcomes of the third roundtable and the issue summary papers.
Second roundtable on copyright – 6 and 7 June 2023
On 6 and 7 June 2023, we hosted the second roundtable on copyright in Canberra. Participants discussed issues including:
- a limited liability scheme for the use of orphan works
- the use of copyright material in remote learning environments
- quotation from copyright material.
Read a high-level summary of the outcomes of the second roundtable and the issue summary papers.
Inaugural ministerial roundtable on copyright – 23 Feb 2023
On 23 February 2023, the Attorney-General chaired the inaugural ministerial roundtable on copyright in Melbourne. The roundtable brought together 30 organisations from a range of sectors to identify priority reform issues for potential collaboration this year.
Read a high-level summary of the outcomes of the roundtable.
Copyright (International Protection) Regulations Amendment 2024
In 2024, the government updated the Copyright (International Protection) Regulations 1969 to extend protection for the secondary broadcast and public performance of sound recordings to 2 other countries to protect international sound recordings.
The Explanatory Statement contains detailed information about the changes.
Copyright (International Protection) Regulations Amendment 2022
In 2022 the government updated the Copyright (International Protection) Regulations 1969 to extend protection for the secondary broadcast and public performance of sound recordings to 7 other countries to protect international sound recordings.
The Explanatory Statement contains detailed information about the changes.
Copyright Amendment (Access Reform) Bill 2021 & Review of Technological Protection Measures Exceptions
On 21 December 2021, the Australian Government released an exposure draft of the Copyright Amendment (Access Reform) Bill 2021 and an accompanying discussion paper so that interested individuals and organisations could have their say.
The consultation also sought views on the technological protection measure (TPM) exceptions in the Copyright Regulations to support a periodic review of the TPM exceptions as required by the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement.
Find out more about the consultation on the Have your say on draft copyright reform legislation page on the TROVE website.
You can view the submissions on the Copyright Amendment (Access Reform) Bill 2021 page.
Copyright (International Protection) Regulations Amendment 2018
In 2018, the government updated the Copyright (International Protection) Regulations 1969 to extend protection for the secondary broadcast and public performance of sound recordings to 32 other countries in accordance with Australia’s commitment to protecting international sound recordings.
The Explanatory Statement contains detailed information about the changes.
Copyright Amendment (Service Providers) Act 2018
The Copyright Amendment (Service Providers) Act 2018 extends the operation of the ‘safe harbour’ scheme to a broader range of service providers in the disability, educational and cultural sectors. The extension limits liability for those service providers regarding copyright infringements that occur in the course of carrying out certain activities online.
Following consultations in early 2017, the government introduced the Copyright Amendment (Service Providers) Bill 2017 into Parliament on 6 December 2017.
The Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee recommended passage of the Bill, which was supported by the government in its response.
The Bill was passed on 28 June 2018 and received royal assent on 29 June 2018. The Copyright Amendment (Service Providers) Act 2018 came into force on 29 December 2018.
The government consulted on minor amendments to the Copyright Regulations 2017 to ensure the Copyright Amendment (Service Providers) Act 2018 operates effectively. These amendments, the Copyright Amendment (Service Providers) Regulations 2018, came into force on 29 December 2019.
Find out more about the Consultation on draft Copyright Amendment (Service Providers) Regulations 2018 page on the TROVE website.
You can view the submissions on the Copyright Amendment (Service Providers) Bill 2021 – Submissions page.
Copyright Amendment (Online Infringement) Act 2018
The Copyright Amendment (Online Infringement) Act 2018 enables website blocking injunctions to be extended to search engine providers, as well as carriage service providers. It broadens the range of infringing websites that can be addressed through website blocking orders to include sites such as cyber lockers, and enables the Federal Court to make more responsive blocking orders.
Following the release of a discussion paper, a public submissions process and forum in 2014, the government enacted the Copyright Amendment (Online Infringement) Act 2015. The government committed to reviewing the amendments 18 months after commencement.
The government initiated this review in early 2018 with the release of a discussion paper which received 20 stakeholder submissions.
The government introduced the Copyright Amendment (Online Infringement) Bill 2018 into Parliament on 18 October 2018.
The Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee recommended passage of the Bill, and the Minister provided a government response in the second reading speech.
The Bill was passed by the Senate on 28 November 2018 and received Royal Assent on 10 December 2018. The Copyright Amendment (Online Infringement) Act 2018 came into force on 11 December 2018.
Find out more about the consultation on the Review of the Copyright Online Infringement Amendment page on the TROVE website.
You can view the submissions on the Copyright Amendment (Online Infringement) Bill 2018 – Submissions page.