Copyright

Key points

• Certain material is automatically protected by copyright under Australian law. There is no registration of copyright in
Australia, and no formal procedures to go through.
• Copyright gives its owner the legal right to take action in certain circumstances if someone else uses their material.
Sometimes, criminal proceedings can be brought.
• In some circumstances, copyright owners can rely on presumptions that they own copyright, rather than having to prove ownership.
• In addition to copyright, both technological protection measures and contractual terms can be used to limit other people’s
ability to have access to or use copyright material.

Copyright protection

Material is automatically protected by copyright in Australia, under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth), if:
• it is in one of the categories of things that are protected by copyright;
• except for broadcasts, it is in “material form” (for example, on paper, as a digital file, a film or an audio recording); and
• there is a sufficient connection with Australia (as a result of international treaties, this applies to material from almost all
countries).

What does copyright protect?

Copyright protects a range of materials, including photographs. Other things protected by copyright include other artistic
works (such as paintings, drawings and maps), written material (such as journal articles, novels, and reports), musical works
and films. Copyright does not protect information, ideas, styles or techniques.