Fair Use in Australia

In case you haven't seen it, Fair Use is finally on the agenda here in Australia.

This is something interested parties need to be vocal on - here's our chance to speak up and talk about things that are broken.

What things need fixing?

• Having the legal right to format-shift music from a music CD to an Apple iPod (especially important since you can't legally buy music for an iPod right now in Australia. Aside: Why then are Apple selling them if they don't expect people to illegally format-shirt their music collection onto these devices?)
• Having the legal right to time-shift broadcast content. I should be able to legally record a TV programme or radio broadcast for later viewing.
• Having the legal right to play a DVD on my Linux computer. This is sort-of format-shifting, but also delves into the area of DMCA-style obligations from the AUSFTA. I should be able to legally create and use a player to view my purchased content if one isn't readily available (i.e. create and use a media player to view my DVD under Linux)
• Having the legal right to backup content (i.e. backup my DVDs to protect them from accidental damage), not just have that right for only software.

Big important issues for all content consumers. Speak up now - copyright was last reviewed in a serious way in 1971.

tech/IP | 06 May 2005 | #