Copyright & Intellectual Property

A major area of responsibility of Universities Australia is the monitoring of Government legislation and policies with implications for the ownership and use of copyright materials by staff and students in universities. The Universities Australia publication Ownership of Intellectual Property in Universities: Policy and Good Practice Guide has been republished in 2002 to assist the universities to develop clear policies on the ownership of intellectual property generated by them.

In accordance with the requirements of the Copyright Act 1968, Universities Australia and its member universities have signed agreements with the Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) and Screenrights, copyright collecting societies set up under the Act to collect remuneration from universities for print and audio-visual copying done on behalf of students and staff. Universities Australia negotiates these agreements on behalf of the universities, monitors the effects of the agreements, assists ACNielsen with the annual surveys of usage of copyright materials in universities, and analyses the data in the survey Reports in order to verify the amounts of remuneration due.

Other copyright organisations which collect remuneration for the use of copyright material in universities are Viscopy the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), and the Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners' Society (AMCOS) .

In order to maintain close liaison with universities a database of University Copyright Officers has been set up.

Universities Australia is a member of the Australian Digital Alliance and has supported the Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA) in its submissions to Government on copyright matters.

Universities Australia has made the following submissions on copyright and intellectual property matters to Government through the Copyright Law Review Committee and other committees of inquiry:

Should you require further information please contact the Policy & Analysis section.