Title: Copyrights and copyfights: copyright law and the digital economy

Authors: Terry Flew; Nicolas Suzor; Bonnie Rui Liu

Addresses: Creative Industries Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, Creative Industries Precinct, Z6 - 503 Musk Ave., Kelvin Grove QLD 4059, Australia ' Faculty of Law, Queensland University of Technology, GPO Box 2434, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia ' ARC Centre of Excellence for Creative Industries and Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Creative Industries Precinct, Z1 – 515 Musk Ave., Kelvin Grove QLD 4059, Australia

Abstract: This paper will consider questions around the reform of copyright law, and how they are increasingly being framed by the challenges of the digital economy. It discusses the review of copyright and the digital economy being undertaken by the Australian Law Reform Commission, with particular reference to the costs and benefits of copyright law to consumers and creative producers. We argue that there is a pressing need to develop fair copyright rules that encourage investment in the digital economy, allow widespread dissemination of knowledge through society, and support the innovative reuse of copyright works. To better align copyright law with these goals, we recommend that Australia introduce an open ended 'fair use' style copyright exception, and encourage the development of a digital copyright exchange of the sort discussed in the UK by the Hargreaves and Hooper Reports.

Keywords: copyright law; intellectual property; digital copyright exchange; DCX; fair use; open access; creative industries; digital economy; Australia.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTPL.2013.057009

International Journal of Technology Policy and Law, 2013 Vol.1 No.3, pp.297 - 315

Published online: 19 Jul 2014 *

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