Copyright Act 1968

Act No. 63 of 1968 as amended

This compilation was prepared on 14 April 2005
taking into account amendments up to Act No. 45 of 2005

The text of any of those amendments not in force
on that date is appended in the Notes section

The operation of amendments that have been incorporated may be
affected by application provisions that are set out in the Notes section

Prepared by the Office of Legislative Drafting and Publishing,
Attorney‑General’s Department, Canberra

  

  

  

Contents

Part I—Preliminary                                                                                                                1

1................. Short title [see Note 1]................................................................... 1

2................. Commencement [see Note 1]......................................................... 1

4................. Extension to external Territories.................................................... 1

5................. Exclusion of Imperial Copyright Act, 1911................................... 1

6................. Repeal of Copyright Acts.............................................................. 1

7................. Act to bind the Crown................................................................... 2

8................. Copyright not to subsist except by virtue of this Act.................. 2

8A.............. Prerogative rights of the Crown in the nature of copyright........... 2

9................. Operation of other laws................................................................. 2

9A.............. Application of the Criminal Code................................................. 3

Part II—Interpretation                                                                                                         4

10............... Interpretation................................................................................. 4

10AA......... Non‑infringing copy of a sound recording.................................... 22

10AB......... Non‑infringing copy of a computer program................................ 23

10AC......... Non‑infringing copy of an electronic literary or music item......... 23

10AD......... Accessories to imported articles.................................................. 23

10A............ Declarations and notices relating to certain bodies and institutions 24

11............... Residence in a country not affected by temporary absence........ 25

12............... References to Parliament.............................................................. 26

13............... Acts comprised in copyright....................................................... 26

14............... Acts done in relation to substantial part of work or other subject‑matter deemed to be done in relation to the whole..................................................................................................... 26

15............... References to acts done with licence of owner of copyright....... 26

16............... References to partial assignment of copyright............................. 27

17............... Statutory employment................................................................. 27

18............... Libraries established or conducted for profit............................... 27

19............... References to Copyright Act, 1911............................................. 27

20............... Names under which work is published........................................ 27

21............... Reproduction and copying of works and other subject‑matter... 28

22............... Provisions relating to the making of a work or other subject‑matter  29

23............... Sound recordings and records....................................................... 31

24............... References to sounds and visual images embodied in an article... 32

25............... Provisions relating to broadcasting.............................................. 32

27............... Performance................................................................................. 33

28............... Performance of works or other subject‑matter in the course of educational instruction     34

29............... Publication................................................................................... 35

30............... Ownership of copyright for particular purposes........................ 36

30A............ Commercial rental arrangement.................................................... 37

Part III—Copyright in original literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works         39

Division 1—Nature, duration and ownership of copyright in works  39

31............... Nature of copyright in original works.......................................... 39

32............... Original works in which copyright subsists................................ 41

33............... Duration of copyright in original works...................................... 41

34............... Duration of copyright in anonymous and pseudonymous works 42

35............... Ownership of copyright in original works................................... 43

Division 2—Infringement of copyright in works                                          45

36............... Infringement by doing acts comprised in the copyright.............. 45

37............... Infringement by importation for sale or hire................................ 45

38............... Infringement by sale and other dealings....................................... 46

39............... Infringement by permitting place of public entertainment to be used for performance of work        46

39A............ Infringing copies made on machines installed in libraries and archives               47

39B............ Communication by use of certain facilities.................................. 48

Division 3—Acts not constituting infringements of copyright in works                49

40............... Fair dealing for purpose of research or study.............................. 49

41............... Fair dealing for purpose of criticism or review............................ 50

42............... Fair dealing for purpose of reporting news.................................. 50

43............... Reproduction for purpose of judicial proceedings or professional advice          51

43A............ Temporary reproductions made in the course of communication 51

43B............ Temporary reproductions of works as part of a technical process of use          51

44............... Inclusion of works in collections for use by places of education 52

44A............ Importation etc. of books............................................................ 53

44B............ Reproduction of writing on approved label for containers for chemical product               56

44C............ Copyright subsisting in accessories etc. to imported articles...... 56

44D............ Import of non‑infringing copy of sound recording does not infringe copyright in works recorded    56

44E............ Importation and sale etc. of copies of computer programs......... 57

44F............ Importation and sale etc. of copies of electronic literary or music items            58

Division 4—Acts not constituting infringements of copyright in literary, dramatic and musical works                                                                                                                      59

45............... Reading or recitation in public or for a broadcast........................ 59

46............... Performance at premises where persons reside or sleep.............. 59

47............... Reproduction for purpose of broadcasting.................................. 59

47AA......... Reproduction for the purpose of simulcasting............................ 61

47A............ Sound broadcasts by holders of print disability radio licences.... 62

Division 4A—Acts not constituting infringements of copyright in computer programs               65

47AB......... Meaning of computer program.................................................... 65

47B............ Reproduction for normal use or study of computer programs.... 65

47C............ Back‑up copy of computer programs.......................................... 66

47D............ Reproducing computer programs to make interoperable products 68

47E............ Reproducing computer programs to correct errors...................... 68

47F............ Reproducing computer programs for security testing................. 69

47G............ Unauthorised use of copies or information.................................. 70

47H............ Agreements excluding operation of certain provisions................ 70

Division 5—Copying of works in libraries or archives                             71

48............... Interpretation............................................................................... 71

48A............ Copying by Parliamentary libraries for members of Parliament.. 71

49............... Reproducing and communicating works by libraries and archives for users       71

50............... Reproducing and communicating works by libraries or archives for other libraries or archives         75

51............... Reproducing and communicating unpublished works in libraries or archives     79

51AA......... Reproducing and communicating works in Australian Archives. 80

51A............ Reproducing and communicating works for preservation and other purposes   81

52............... Publication of unpublished works kept in libraries or archives... 83

53............... Application of Division to illustrations accompanying articles and other works               84

Division 6—Recording of musical works                                                         86

54............... Interpretation............................................................................... 86

55............... Conditions upon which manufacturer may make records of musical work        87

57............... Provisions relating to royalty where 2 or more works are on the one record     89

59............... Conditions upon which manufacturer may include part of a literary or dramatic work in a record of a musical work..................................................................................................... 90

60............... Records made partly for retail sale and partly for gratuitous disposal               92

61............... Making inquiries in relation to previous records......................... 93

64............... Sections 55 and 59 to be disregarded in determining whether an infringement has been committed by the importation of records..................................................................................... 93

Division 7—Acts not constituting infringements of copyright in artistic works                94

65............... Sculptures and certain other works in public places.................... 94

66............... Buildings and models of buildings................................................ 94

67............... Incidental filming or televising of artistic works.......................... 94

68............... Publication of artistic works........................................................ 94

70............... Reproduction for purpose of including work in television broadcast 95

72............... Reproduction of part of work in later work............................... 96

73............... Reconstruction of buildings......................................................... 96

Division 8—Designs                                                                                                    97

74............... Corresponding design................................................................... 97

75............... Copyright protection where corresponding design registered..... 97

76............... False registration of industrial designs under the Designs Act 2003 97

77............... Application of artistic works as industrial designs without registration of the designs     98

77A............ Certain reproductions of an artistic work do not infringe copyright  100

Division 9—Works of joint authorship                                                            102

78............... References to all of joint authors............................................... 102

79............... References to any one or more of joint authors......................... 102

80............... References to whichever of joint authors died last.................... 102

81............... Works of joint authorship published under pseudonyms......... 102

82............... Copyright to subsist in joint works without regard to any author who is an unqualified person      103

83............... Inclusion of joint works in collections for use in places of education 103

Part IV—Copyright in subject‑matter other than works                               104

Division 1—Preliminary                                                                                          104

84............... Definitions................................................................................. 104

Division 2—Nature of copyright in subject‑matter other than works 106

85............... Nature of copyright in sound recordings................................... 106

86............... Nature of copyright in cinematograph films.............................. 106

87............... Nature of copyright in television broadcasts and sound broadcasts 107

88............... Nature of copyright in published editions of works.................. 107

Division 3—Subject‑matter, other than works, in which copyright subsists       108

89............... Sound recordings in which copyright subsists........................... 108

90............... Cinematograph films in which copyright subsists..................... 108

91............... Television broadcasts and sound broadcasts in which copyright subsists         108

92............... Published editions of works in which copyright subsists......... 109

Division 4—Duration of copyright in subject‑matter other than works 110

93............... Duration of copyright in sound recordings................................ 110

94............... Duration of copyright in cinematograph films........................... 110

95............... Duration of copyright in television broadcasts and sound broadcasts                110

96............... Duration of copyright in published editions of works.............. 111

Division 5—Ownership of copyright in subject‑matter other than works            112

Subdivision A—Ownership of copyright in subject‑matter other than works 112

97............... Ownership of copyright in sound recordings............................ 112

98............... Ownership of copyright in cinematograph films....................... 112

99............... Ownership of copyright in television broadcasts and sound broadcasts            113

100............. Ownership of copyright in published editions of works........... 113

Subdivision B—Specific provisions relating to the ownership of copyright in pre‑commencement sound recordings of live performances                                                                       113

100AA....... Application................................................................................ 113

100AB....... Definitions................................................................................. 113

100AC....... Application of sections 100AD and 100AE.............................. 114

100AD....... Makers of pre‑commencement sound recordings of live performances              114

100AE....... Ownership of pre‑commencement copyright in sound recordings of live performances    115

100AF....... Former owners may continue to do any act in relation to the copyright            115

100AG....... Actions by new owners of copyright........................................ 116

100AH....... References to the owner of the copyright in a sound recording. 117

Division 6—Infringement of copyright in subject‑matter other than works        118

100A.......... Interpretation............................................................................. 118

101............. Infringement by doing acts comprised in copyright.................. 118

102............. Infringement by importation for sale or hire.............................. 119

103............. Infringement by sale and other dealings..................................... 119

103A.......... Fair dealing for purpose of criticism or review.......................... 120

103B.......... Fair dealing for purpose of reporting news................................ 120

103C.......... Fair dealing for purpose of research or study............................ 121

104............. Acts done for purposes of judicial proceeding.......................... 121

104A.......... Acts done by Parliamentary libraries for members of Parliament 122

104B.......... Infringing copies made on machines installed in libraries and archives               122

105............. Copyright in certain recordings not infringed by causing recordings to be heard in public or broadcast            122

106............. Causing sound recording to be heard at guest house or club...... 123

107............. Making of a copy of the sound recording for purpose of broadcasting              123

108............. Copyright in published recording not infringed by public performance if equitable remuneration paid            125

109............. Copyright in published sound recording not infringed by broadcast in certain circumstances           126

110............. Provisions relating to cinematograph films............................... 127

110A.......... Copying and communicating unpublished sound recordings and cinematograph films in libraries or archives  128

110B.......... Copying and communicating sound recordings and cinematograph films for preservation and other purposes................................................................................................... 128

110C.......... Making of a copy of a sound recording or cinematograph film for the purpose of simulcasting        131

111............. Filming or recording broadcasts for private and domestic use... 131

111A.......... Temporary copy made in the course of communication........... 132

111B.......... Temporary copy of subject‑matter as part of a technical process of use           132

112............. Reproductions of editions of work............................................ 133

112A.......... Importation and sale etc. of books............................................. 134

112B.......... Reproduction of writing on approved label for containers for chemical product               137

112C.......... Copyright subsisting in accessories etc. to imported articles.... 137

112D.......... Import of non‑infringing copy of a sound recording does not infringe copyright in the sound recording          138

112DA....... Importation and sale etc. of copies of electronic literary or music items            139

112E.......... Communication by use of certain facilities................................ 139

Division 7—Miscellaneous                                                                                    140

113............. Copyrights to subsist independently........................................ 140

113A.......... Agents may act on behalf of groups of performers................... 140

113B.......... Consent to the use of a sound recording of a live performance. 140

113C.......... Use of published sound recordings when owners cannot be found etc.              141

Part V—Remedies and offences                                                                                142

Division 1—Preliminary                                                                                          142

114............. Interpretation............................................................................. 142

Division 2—Actions by owner of copyright                                                   143

115............. Actions for infringement............................................................ 143

116............. Rights of owner of copyright in respect of infringing copies.... 144

116AAA.... Compensation for acquisition of property................................ 145

Division 2AA—Limitation on remedies available against carriage service providers  147

Subdivision A—Preliminary                                                                                 147

116AA....... Purpose of this Division............................................................ 147

116AB....... Definitions................................................................................. 147

Subdivision B—Relevant activities                                                                      148

116AC....... Category A activity................................................................... 148

116AD....... Category B activity.................................................................... 148

116AE....... Category C activity.................................................................... 148

116AF....... Category D activity................................................................... 148

Subdivision C—Limitations on remedies                                                           149

116AG....... Limitations on remedies............................................................. 149

Subdivision D—Conditions                                                                                    150

116AH....... Conditions.................................................................................. 150

116AI........ Evidence of compliance with conditions.................................... 154

Subdivision E—Regulations                                                                                  154

116AJ........ Regulations................................................................................. 154

Division 2A—Actions in relation to circumvention devices and electronic rights management information                                                                                           155

116A.......... Importation, manufacture etc. of circumvention device and provision etc. of circumvention service                155

116B.......... Removal or alteration of electronic rights management information 158

116C.......... Distribution to the public etc. of works whose electronic rights management information has been removed or altered......................................................................................... 159

116CA....... Distribution and importation of electronic rights management information that has been removed or altered   160

116CB....... Exception relating to national security and law enforcement..... 161

116D.......... Remedies in actions under sections 116A, 116B, 116C and 116CA  161

Division 3—Proceedings where copyright is subject to exclusive licence          162

117............. Interpretation............................................................................. 162

118............. Application................................................................................ 162

119............. Rights of exclusive licensee........................................................ 162

120............. Joinder of owner or exclusive licensee as a party...................... 163

121............. Defences available against exclusive licensee............................. 163

122............. Assessment of damages where exclusive licence granted........... 164

123............. Apportionment of profits between owner and exclusive licensee 164

124............. Separate actions in relation to the same infringement................ 165

125............. Liability for costs....................................................................... 165

Division 4—Proof of facts in civil actions                                                       166

126............. Presumptions as to subsistence and ownership of copyright... 166

126A.......... Evidence in relation to subsistence of copyright....................... 166

126B.......... Evidence in relation to ownership of copyright......................... 167

127............. Presumptions in relation to authorship of work........................ 168

128............. Presumptions in relation to publisher of work.......................... 170

129............. Presumptions where author has died......................................... 170

130............. Evidence in relation to recordings.............................................. 171

130A.......... Acts relating to imported copies of sound recordings............... 172

130B.......... Acts relating to imported copies of computer programs........... 172

130C.......... Acts relating to imported copies of electronic literary or music items               173

131............. Presumption in relation to maker of film................................... 173

Division 4A—Jurisdiction and appeals                                                           174

131A.......... Exercise of jurisdiction............................................................... 174

131B.......... Appeals...................................................................................... 174

131C.......... Jurisdiction of Federal Court of Australia................................. 174

131D.......... Jurisdiction of Federal Magistrates Court................................. 174

Division 5—Offences and summary proceedings                                      175

132............. Offences..................................................................................... 175

132A.......... Presumptions in relation to subsistence and ownership of copyright                185

132B.......... Evidence in relation to sound recordings.................................... 186

133............. Destruction or delivery up of infringing copies etc................... 187

133A.......... Advertisement for supply of infringing copies of works or other subject matter              187

Division 6—Miscellaneous                                                                                    189

134............. Limitation of actions in respect of infringement of copyright... 189

134A.......... Affidavit evidence...................................................................... 189

Division 7—Seizure of imported copies of copyright material            191

134B.......... Interpretation............................................................................. 191

135............. Restriction of importation of copies of works etc..................... 192

135AA....... Security for expenses of seizure................................................ 194

135AB....... Secure storage of seized copies.................................................. 194

135AC....... Notice of seizure........................................................................ 194

135AD....... Inspection, release etc. of seized copies.................................... 196

135AE....... Forfeiture of seized copies by consent...................................... 196

135AF....... Compulsory release of seized copies to the importer............... 197

135AG....... Provision relating to actions for infringement of copyright....... 198

135AH....... Retention of control of seized copies........................................ 199

135AI........ Disposal of seized copies ordered to be forfeited...................... 199

135AJ........ Insufficient security................................................................... 199

135AK....... Immunity of the Commonwealth............................................... 199

Part VAA—Broadcast decoding devices                                                               200

Division 1—Preliminary                                                                                          200

135AL....... Definitions................................................................................. 200

135AM...... Counterclaim.............................................................................. 201

Division 2—Action in relation to broadcast decoding devices           202

135AN....... Actions in relation to the manufacture of and dealing with broadcast decoding devices     202

135ANA.... Actions in relation to the use of broadcast decoding devices..... 204

Division 3—Jurisdiction and appeals                                                               207

135AP....... Exercise of jurisdiction............................................................... 207

135AQ....... Appeals...................................................................................... 207

135AR....... Jurisdiction of Federal Court of Australia................................. 207

135ARA.... Jurisdiction of Federal Magistrates Court................................. 207

Division 4—Offences                                                                                                208

135AS........ Offences..................................................................................... 208

135AT....... Prosecutions............................................................................... 211

135AU....... Destruction etc. of devices......................................................... 211

Part VA—Copying and communication of broadcasts by educational and other institutions          212

Division 1—Preliminary                                                                                          212

135A.......... Interpretation............................................................................. 212

135B.......... Copies and communications of broadcasts................................ 213

135D.......... Operation of collecting society rules......................................... 213

Division 2—Copying and communication of broadcasts                        214

135E.......... Copying and communication of broadcasts by educational institutions etc.      214

135F.......... Making and communication of preview copies......................... 215

135G.......... Remuneration notices................................................................. 217

135H.......... Records notices.......................................................................... 218

135J........... Sampling notices........................................................................ 219

135JA........ Agreed notice............................................................................. 222

135K.......... Marking and record keeping requirements................................. 223

135KA....... Notice requirements in respect of communications................... 224

135L.......... Inspection of records etc............................................................ 225

135M......... Revocation of remuneration notice............................................ 226

135N.......... Request for payment of equitable remuneration........................ 226

Division 3—The collecting society                                                                    227

135P.......... The collecting society................................................................ 227

135Q.......... Revocation of declaration........................................................... 228

135R.......... Annual report and accounts....................................................... 228

135S........... Amendment of rules................................................................... 229

Division 4—Interim copying                                                                                 230

135T.......... Appointment of notice holder................................................... 230

135U.......... Copying before declaration of collecting society....................... 230

135V.......... Preview copies........................................................................... 231

135W......... Notices by administering bodies................................................ 231

135X.......... Marking and record keeping requirements................................. 232

135Y.......... Effect of declaration of collecting society.................................. 232

Division 5—Miscellaneous                                                                                    233

135Z.......... Relevant right holder may authorise copying etc....................... 233

135ZA....... Copyright not to vest in copier................................................. 233

Part VB—Reproducing and communicating works etc. by educational and other institutions       234

Division 1—Preliminary                                                                                          234

135ZB....... Interpretation............................................................................. 234

135ZC....... Eligible items and photographic versions................................... 235

135ZE........ Part does not apply to computer programs............................... 236

135ZF........ Operation of collecting society rules......................................... 236

135ZFA..... Licensed communications.......................................................... 236

Division 2—Reproduction by educational institutions of works that are in hardcopy form        237

135ZGA.... Application of Division............................................................. 237

135ZG....... Multiple reproduction of insubstantial parts of works that are in hardcopy form            237

135ZH....... Copying of printed published editions by educational institutions 238

135ZJ........ Multiple reproduction of printed periodical articles by educational institutions               238

135ZK....... Multiple reproduction of works published in printed anthologies 239

135ZL........ Multiple reproduction of works that are in hardcopy form by educational institutions    239

135ZM...... Application of Division to certain illustrations that are in hardcopy form        240

Division 2A—Reproduction and communication of works that are in electronic form  242

135ZMA... Application of Division............................................................. 242

135ZMB... Multiple reproduction and communication of insubstantial parts of works that are in electronic form            242

135ZMC... Multiple reproduction and communication of periodical articles that are in electronic form by education institutions................................................................................................... 243

135ZMD... Multiple reproduction and communication of works that are in electronic form by educational institutions    244

135ZME.... Application of Division to certain illustrations in electronic form 245

Division 3—Reproduction and communication of works by institutions assisting persons with a print disability                                                                                                 247

135ZN....... Copying published editions by institutions assisting persons with a print disability       247

135ZP........ Multiple reproduction and communication of works by institutions assisting persons with a print disability................................................................................................... 247

135ZQ....... Making of relevant reproductions and relevant communications by institutions assisting persons with a print disability.................................................................................... 249

Division 4—Reproduction and communication of works etc. by institutions assisting persons with an intellectual disability                                                                       252

135ZR....... Copying of published editions by institutions assisting persons with an intellectual disability        252

135ZS........ Copying and communication of eligible items by institutions assisting persons with an intellectual disability................................................................................................... 252

135ZT....... Making of copies etc. for use in making copies or communications for a person with an intellectual disability................................................................................................... 253

Division 5—Equitable remuneration                                                                255

135ZU....... Remuneration notices................................................................. 255

135ZV....... Records notices.......................................................................... 255

135ZW...... Sampling notices........................................................................ 256

135ZWA... Electronic use notices................................................................. 257

135ZX....... Records notices and sampling notices: marking and record‑keeping requirements             259

135ZXA.... Electronic use notices: notice requirements etc.......................... 260

135ZY....... Inspection of records etc............................................................ 260

135ZZ....... Revocation of remuneration notice............................................ 261

135ZZA.... Request for payment of equitable remuneration........................ 262

Division 6—Collecting societies                                                                        263

135ZZB..... Collecting societies..................................................................... 263

135ZZC..... Revocation of declaration........................................................... 264

135ZZD.... Annual report and accounts....................................................... 265

135ZZE..... Amendment of rules................................................................... 265

Division 7—Miscellaneous                                                                                    266

135ZZF..... Rights of copyright owners....................................................... 266

135ZZG.... Copyright not to vest in copier................................................. 266

135ZZH.... Unauthorised use of copies........................................................ 267

Part VC—Retransmission of free‑to‑air broadcasts                                       268

Division 1—Preliminary                                                                                          268

135ZZI...... Definitions................................................................................. 268

135ZZJ...... Operation of collecting society rules......................................... 269

135ZZJA... Application of Part.................................................................... 269

Division 2—Retransmission of free‑to‑air broadcasts                            270

135ZZK.... Retransmission of free‑to‑air broadcasts................................... 270

135ZZL..... Remuneration notices................................................................. 270

135ZZM... Amount of equitable remuneration............................................ 271

135ZZN.... Record system........................................................................... 271

135ZZP..... Inspection of records etc............................................................ 272

135ZZQ.... Identity cards............................................................................. 273

135ZZR..... Revocation of remuneration notice............................................ 273

135ZZS..... Request for payment of equitable remuneration........................ 274

Division 3—Collecting societies                                                                        275

135ZZT..... Collecting societies..................................................................... 275

135ZZU.... Revocation of declaration........................................................... 276

135ZZV..... Annual report and accounts....................................................... 276

135ZZW.... Amendment of rules................................................................... 277

Division 4—Interim retransmissions                                                               278

135ZZX.... Appointment of notice holder................................................... 278

135ZZY..... Retransmitting before declaration of collecting society............. 278

135ZZZ..... Notices by retransmitters.......................................................... 278

135ZZZA.. Record keeping requirements..................................................... 279

135ZZZB.. Effect of declaration of collecting society.................................. 279

Division 5—Miscellaneous                                                                                    281

135ZZZC.. Relevant copyright owner may authorise retransmitting........... 281

135ZZZD.. Copyright not to vest under this Part........................................ 281

135ZZZE.. Licence to retransmit does not authorise copyright infringements 281

Part VI—The Copyright Tribunal