Copyright Laws No Longer Relevant in a Digital Age
Assignment 2 – Research Essay
Many say the current copyright laws in Australia are not adequate for a digital age. Do you agree with this point of view, and explain the academic research which leads you to this conclusion. Discuss two examples of copyright law which you believe are no longer relevant in a digital age and provide evidence for the changes you would propose, by analysing current media reports and supporting research?
The way a person writes, learns, gathers information, purchases items, listens to music, watches television and films etc., has gradually changed over time. These simple tasks are now conducted and accessed digitally through the mediums of electronic technology such as computers and the Internet. This digital change has occurred globally as a result of the continuing effects of globalisation and modernisation, ultimately leading the world to enter a digital age. The unparalleled simple and quick access, electronic mediums offer in a progressing digital age has conjured up numerous advantages and benefits for users. However it has also created a number of issues, in particular with copyright and intellectual property law, which ‘[cover] patents, trade marks, designs, copyright [and] protect the rights of creators and inventors [who produce the works]’ (Fernandez-Molina, 2004). The digital age continues to present challenges towards current copyright laws, sparking debate on whether they are suitable to deal with the growing need, want and reliance on the access and use of digital resources. This essay will argue that the current copyright laws, with specific focus on Australia, are not adequate for a digital age. The two best examples of Australian copyright law which are no longer relevant and need to be amended in a digital age are the reproducing of photographs and copying of films in a different format for private use and secondary liability for copyright infringement with regards to peer-to-peer file sharing.
In 2006 the
Many say the current copyright laws in Australia are not adequate for a digital age. Do you agree with this point of view, and explain the academic research which leads you to this conclusion. Discuss two examples of copyright law which you believe are no longer relevant in a digital age and provide evidence for the changes you would propose, by analysing current media reports and supporting research?
The way a person writes, learns, gathers information, purchases items, listens to music, watches television and films etc., has gradually changed over time. These simple tasks are now conducted and accessed digitally through the mediums of electronic technology such as computers and the Internet. This digital change has occurred globally as a result of the continuing effects of globalisation and modernisation, ultimately leading the world to enter a digital age. The unparalleled simple and quick access, electronic mediums offer in a progressing digital age has conjured up numerous advantages and benefits for users. However it has also created a number of issues, in particular with copyright and intellectual property law, which ‘[cover] patents, trade marks, designs, copyright [and] protect the rights of creators and inventors [who produce the works]’ (Fernandez-Molina, 2004). The digital age continues to present challenges towards current copyright laws, sparking debate on whether they are suitable to deal with the growing need, want and reliance on the access and use of digital resources. This essay will argue that the current copyright laws, with specific focus on Australia, are not adequate for a digital age. The two best examples of Australian copyright law which are no longer relevant and need to be amended in a digital age are the reproducing of photographs and copying of films in a different format for private use and secondary liability for copyright infringement with regards to peer-to-peer file sharing.
In 2006 the
Bibliography: 4. Attorney-General’s Department & Commonwealth of Australian Law 2008, Copyright Act 1968 (Current Amendments up to Act no. 113 of 2008), Australian Government Attorney-General’s Department, viewed 10 November 2009, .