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News of Intellectual Property 26.09.2006 - Australia to legalize format shifting It will no longer be an offence to record TV programmes or copy music onto MP3 players in Australia if government proposals become law. Attorney General Philip Ruddock has published a Bill to reform the country`s copyright laws. If passed, it will legalize so-called format shifting, allowing consumers to copy their CDs onto iPods or MP3 players. It will also make it easier for schools and universities to use copyright material for educational purposes and allow comics to use material for parody or satire. But the Bill will also introduce new enforcement measures, including on-the-spot fines, proceeds-of-crime remedies and new ways for courts to tackle large-scale internet piracy such as peer-to-peer networks. "Copyright pirates will be facing tougher laws including giving police the power to strip them of the profits made at the expense of musicians and filmmakers," said Ruddock. "These balanced and practical reforms recognize consumers shouldn`t be treated like copyright pirates and copyright pirates shouldn`t be treated like consumers." MIP Week welcomes your feedback on this or any other story. Please email the author with your comments. Letters may be published online. Source: Managing Intellectual Property All news of IP Back to main page
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