Copyright for Australian libraries and archives
Welcome
Welcome to the Australian Libraries Copyright Committee (ALCC) website. We are the primary policy body in Australia for the discussion of copyright issues affecting library, archive and information sectors. Find out more about our work in Advocacy, Training and developing Resources.
What's current
Copyright the Card Game – Australian EditionThe Australian Edition of Copyright The Card Game is now available! You can download the resources and read the story about adapting the game for Australia on the Card Game page.
Copyright Modernisation Consutation
Submissions are now in for the government's Copyright Modernisation Consultation. In the ALCC submission, we strongly support the government’s stated goal to modernise Australia’s copyright system, and recommend that to achieve this the government should:
Australia's Libraries and Archives welcome safe harbour extension
The ALCC welcomes the passing of the Copyright Amendment (Service Providers) Act 2018 and the increased certainty it affords the libraries and archives sector. Australia’s libraries and archives will now have the same legal protections as commercial ISPs when they provide online services to the public, thanks to copyright amendments passed today. More details are available in our press release for the passing of the Bill.
The ALCC welcomes the amendments proposed by the Copyright Amendment (Service Providers) Bill 2017 as an initial step in improving Australia’s safe harbour arrangements, but also maintains its support for the further extension of the copyright safe harbours to all online service providers, including commercial platforms.
Copyright Amendment (Disability Access and Other Measures) Act 2017 factsheets
The majority of provisions in the Copyright Amendment (Disability Access and Other Measures) Act 2017 came into force on Friday 22 December 2017. We have released a number of factsheets setting out the practical effects of the Act.
Our next copyright training sessions for librarians and archivists is set for Darwin (and livestreaming to Northern Territory locations) in June. Visit our Training page to find out more, or to check when courses are coming to your state or territory. Free for most library and archive professionals.
News archive
Explore past news items. Or find more relevant news from the Australian Library and Information Association or the Australian Digital Alliance.
Copyright fact sheets
We've put together a range of fact sheets to help Australian librarians, archivists and related professionals navigate some of the more common interactions with copyright. Use the individual fact sheet that suits your needs, or download the lot as a single guide. Best of all, they are all under a Creative Commons Attribution licence, so feel free to download, adapt and share them around. All the fact sheets, along with other helpful copyright materials, are available on our Resources page.
Support our work
Associations and institutions are welcome to apply to become members of the ALCC. Contact us here.
For individuals, please register your email address so we can let you know when we need your support advocating for copyright reform.