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COPYRIGHT ACT 1968

Table of Provisions

PART I--PRELIMINARY

  • 1 Short title  
  • 2 Commencement  
  • 4 Extension to external Territories  
  • 5 Exclusion of Imperial Copyright Act, 1911  
  • 6 Repeal of Copyright Acts  
  • 7 Act to bind the Crown  
  • 8 Copyright not to subsist except by virtue of this Act  
  • 8A Prerogative rights of the Crown in the nature of copyright  
  • 9 Operation of other laws  
  • 9A Application of the Criminal Code  

PART II--INTERPRETATION

PART III--COPYRIGHT--IN ORIGINAL LITERARY, DRAMATIC, MUSICAL AND ARTISTIC WORKS

Division 1--Nature, duration and ownership of copyright in works

Division 2--Infringement of copyright in works

  • 36 Infringement by doing acts comprised in the copyright  
  • 37 Infringement by importation for sale or hire  
  • 38 Infringement by sale and other dealings  
  • 39 Infringement by permitting place of public entertainment to be used for performance of work  
  • 39A Infringing copies made on machines installed in libraries and archives  
  • 39B Communication by use of certain facilities  

Division 3--Acts not constituting infringements of copyright in works

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

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

Division 4B--Acts not constituting infringements of copyright in artistic works

  • 47J Reproducing photograph in different format for private use  

Division 5--Copying of works in libraries or archives

Division 6--Recording of musical works

  • 54 Interpretation  
  • 55 Conditions upon which manufacturer may make records of musical work  
  • 57 Provisions relating to royalty where 2 or more works are on the one record  
  • 59 Conditions upon which manufacturer may include part of a literary or dramatic work in a record of a musical work  
  • 60 Records made partly for retail sale and partly for gratuitous disposal  
  • 61 Making inquiries in relation to previous records  
  • 64 Sections 55 and 59 to be disregarded in determining whether an infringement has been committed by the importation of records  

Division 7--Acts not constituting infringements of copyright in artistic works

Division 8--Designs

Division 9--Works of joint authorship

PART IV--COPYRIGHT--IN SUBJECT-MATTER OTHER THAN WORKS

Division 1--Preliminary

Division 2--Nature of copyright in subject-matter other than works

Division 3--Subject-matter, other than works, in which copyright subsists

Division 4--Duration of copyright in subject-matter other than works

Division 5--Ownership of copyright in subject-matter other than works

Subdivision A--Ownership of copyright in subject-matter other than works

Division 6--Infringement of copyright in subject-matter other than works

Division 7--Miscellaneous

PART IVA--USES--THAT DO NOT INFRINGE COPYRIGHT

Division 1--Simplified outline of this Part

  • 113D Simplified outline of this Part  

Division 2--Access by or for persons with a disability

  • 113E Fair dealing for purpose of access by persons with a disability  
  • 113F Use of copyright material by organisations assisting persons with a disability  

Division 3--Libraries and archives

Subdivision A--Public libraries, parliamentary libraries and archives

Division 4--Educational institutions--statutory licence

Division 5--Collecting societies

Subdivision A--Declaration of collecting society

PART V--REMEDIES--AND OFFENCES

Division 1--Preliminary

  • 114 Interpretation  

Division 2--Actions by owner of copyright

  • 115 Actions for infringement  
  • 115A Injunctions relating to online locations outside Australia  
  • 116 Rights of owner of copyright in respect of infringing copies  
  • 116AAA Compensation for acquisition of property  

Division 2AA--Limitation on remedies available against service providers

Subdivision A--Preliminary
  • 116AA Purpose of this Division  
  • 116AB Definitions  
  • 116ABA Definition of service provider  
  • Subdivision B--Relevant activities
  • 116AC Category A activity  
  • 116AD Category B activity  
  • 116AE Category C activity  
  • 116AF Category D activity  
  • Subdivision C--Limitations on remedies
  • 116AG Limitations on remedies  
  • Subdivision D--Conditions
  • 116AH Conditions  
  • 116AI Evidence of compliance with conditions  
  • Subdivision E--Regulations
  • 116AJ Regulations  

Division 2A--Actions in relation to technological protection measures and electronic rights management information

Subdivision A--Technological protection measures

Division 3--Proceedings where copyright is subject to exclusive licence

  • 117 Interpretation  
  • 118 Application  
  • 119 Rights of exclusive licensee  
  • 120 Joinder of owner or exclusive licensee as a party  
  • 121 Defences available against exclusive licensee  
  • 122 Assessment of damages where exclusive licence granted  
  • 123 Apportionment of profits between owner and exclusive licensee  
  • 124 Separate actions in relation to the same infringement  
  • 125 Liability for costs  

Division 4--Proof of facts in civil actions

Division 4A--Jurisdiction and appeals

  • 131A Exercise of jurisdiction  
  • 131B Appeals  
  • 131C Jurisdiction of Federal Court of Australia  
  • 131D Jurisdiction of Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2)  

Division 5--Offences and summary proceedings

Subdivision A--Preliminary

Division 6--Miscellaneous

Division 7--Seizure of imported copies of copyright material

  • 134B Interpretation  
  • 135 Restriction of importation of copies of works etc.  
  • 135AA Decision not to seize unless expenses are covered  
  • 135AB Secure storage of seized copies  
  • 135AC Notice of seizure  
  • 135AD Inspection, release etc. of seized copies  
  • 135AE Forfeiture of seized copies by consent  
  • 135AEA Claim for release of seized copies  
  • 135AEB Seized copies not claimed are forfeited  
  • 135AEC Late claim for release of seized copies  
  • 135AED Objector to be notified of claim  
  • 135AF Release of seized copies to importer  
  • 135AFA Copies released but not collected are forfeited  
  • 135AG Provision relating to actions for infringement of copyright  
  • 135AH Retention of control of seized copies  
  • 135AI Disposal of seized copies forfeited to the Commonwealth  
  • 135AJ Failure to meet Commonwealth's expenses of seizure  
  • 135AK Immunity of the Commonwealth  

PART VAA--UNAUTHORISED--ACCESS TO ENCODED BROADCASTS

Division 1--Preliminary

Division 2--Actions

Subdivision A--Actions relating to unauthorised decoders

Division 3--Offences

Subdivision A--Offences

PART VC--RETRANSMISSION--OF FREE-TO-AIR BROADCASTS

Division 1--Preliminary

Division 2--Retransmission of free-to-air broadcasts

Division 3--Collecting societies

  • 135ZZT Collecting societies  
  • 135ZZU Revocation of declaration  
  • 135ZZV Annual report and accounts  
  • 135ZZW Amendment of rules  
  • 135ZZWA Applying to Tribunal for review of distribution arrangement  

Division 4--Interim retransmissions

Division 5--Miscellaneous

PART VD--RE---BROADCASTS BY SATELLITE BSA LICENSEES

Division 1--Preliminary

Division 2--Re-broadcasts by satellite BSA licensees

Division 3--Collecting societies

  • 135ZZZO Collecting societies  
  • 135ZZZP Revocation of declaration  
  • 135ZZZQ Annual report and accounts  
  • 135ZZZR Amendment of rules  
  • 135ZZZS Applying to Tribunal for review of distribution arrangement  

Division 4--Interim re-broadcasts

Division 5--Miscellaneous

PART VI--COPYRIGHT--TRIBUNAL OF AUSTRALIA

Division 1--Preliminary

  • 136 Interpretation  
  • 137 Cases to which licence schemes apply  

Division 2--Constitution of the Tribunal

  • 138 Constitution of Tribunal  
  • 139 Appointment of members of Tribunal  
  • 140 Qualifications of members  
  • 141 Tenure of office  
  • 141A Seniority of Deputy Presidents  
  • 142 Acting President  
  • 143 Remuneration and allowances  
  • 144 Oath or affirmation of office  
  • 144A Disclosure of interests by members  
  • 144B Removal from office for failure to disclose interest  
  • 145 Resignation  
  • 146 Sittings of the Tribunal  
  • 147 President to arrange business of Tribunal  

Division 3--Applications and references to the Tribunal

Subdivision B--Applications relating to Parts III and IV
  • 149 Applications to Tribunal for determination of remuneration payable for making recording or film of a work  
  • 150 Applications to Tribunal for determination of remuneration payable to owner of copyright in recording for making of a copy of the sound recording  
  • 151 Applications to Tribunal for determination of remuneration payable to owner of copyright in recording in respect of public playing of the recording  
  • 152 Applications to Tribunal for determination of amounts payable for broadcasting published sound recordings  
  • 152A Applications to Tribunal for determination of amount of royalty payable for recording musical works  
  • 152B Applications to Tribunal for determination of manner of paying royalty  
  • 153 Applications to Tribunal for apportionment of royalty in respect of a record  
  • Subdivision C--Applications and referrals relating to Part IVA
  • 153A Applications and referrals relating to Division 4 of Part IVA  
  • Subdivision E--Applications relating to Part VII
  • 153DF Meaning of copyright material  
  • 153E Applications to Tribunal under subsection 183(5)  
  • 153F Applications to Tribunal to declare collecting society for government copies  
  • 153G Applications to Tribunal to revoke a declaration of a collecting society  
  • 153H Time limit for deciding applications under section 153F or 153G  
  • 153J Amendment and revocation of a declaration on the declaration of another collecting society  
  • 153K Applications to Tribunal for method of working out payment for government copies  
  • 153KA Review of collecting society's distribution arrangement  
  • Subdivision G--Applications and references relating to Part VC
  • 153M Applications to the Tribunal under subsection 135ZZM(1)  
  • 153N Applications to Tribunal under subsection 135ZZN(3)  
  • 153P References relating to declaration of collecting society  
  • 153Q References relating to revocation of declaration of collecting society  
  • 153R Review of collecting society's distribution arrangement  
  • Subdivision GA--Applications and references relating to Part VD
  • 153RA Application to the Tribunal to determine amount payable to owner of copyright in a broadcast  
  • 153S Applications to the Tribunal under paragraph 135ZZZK(1)(b)--equitable remuneration  
  • 153T Applications to Tribunal under paragraph 135ZZZL(3)(b)--record system  
  • 153U References relating to declaration of collecting society  
  • 153V References relating to revocation of declaration of collecting society  
  • 153W Review of collecting society's distribution arrangement  
  • Subdivision H--References and applications relating to licences and licence schemes
  • 154 Reference of proposed licence schemes to Tribunal  
  • 155 Reference of existing licence schemes to Tribunal  
  • 156 Further reference of licence schemes to Tribunal  
  • 157 Application to Tribunal in relation to licences  
  • 157A Tribunal must have regard to ACCC guidelines on request  
  • 157B Tribunal may make ACCC party to reference or application  
  • 158 Effect of licence scheme being continued in operation pending order of the Tribunal  
  • 159 Effect of order of Tribunal in relation to licences  
  • Subdivision I--General provisions
  • 160 Interim orders  
  • 161 Reference of questions of law to Federal Court of Australia  
  • 162 Agreements or awards not affected  

Division 4--Procedure and evidence

  • 163 Proceedings to be in public except in special circumstances  
  • 163A Application may be made to Tribunal by the agent of the copyright owner  
  • 164 Procedure  
  • 165 Mistakes or errors in orders of the Tribunal  
  • 166 Regulations as to procedure  
  • 167 Power to take evidence on oath  
  • 168 Evidence in form of written statement  
  • 169 Representation  

Division 4A--Alternative dispute resolution processes

  • 169A Referral of proceeding for alternative dispute resolution process  
  • 169B Directions by President or Deputy President  
  • 169C Agreement about the terms of a decision etc.  
  • 169D Evidence not admissible  
  • 169E Eligibility of person conducting alternative dispute resolution process to sit as a member of the Tribunal  
  • 169F Participation by telephone etc.  
  • 169G Engagement of persons to conduct alternative dispute resolution processes  

Division 5--Miscellaneous

  • 170 Registrar  
  • 170A Other staff of the Tribunal  
  • 171 Protecting persons connected with Tribunal proceedings  
  • 172 Offences by witnesses  
  • 173 Offences relating to the Tribunal  
  • 174 Costs of proceedings  
  • 175 Proof of orders of Tribunal  

PART VII--THE--CROWN

Division 1--Crown copyright

Division 2--Use of copyright material for the Crown

PART VIII--EXTENSION--OR RESTRICTION OF OPERATION OF ACT

Division 1--Foreign countries

Division 2--International organizations

  • 186 Application of Act to international organizations  
  • 187 Original works made or first published by international organizations  
  • 188 Subject - matter, other than original works, made or first published by international organizations  
  • 188A Duration of international organization copyright  

PART IX--MORAL--RIGHTS OF PERFORMERS AND OF AUTHORS OF LITERARY, DRAMATIC, MUSICAL OR ARTISTIC WORKS AND CINEMATOGRAPH FILMS

Division 1--Preliminary

Division 2--Right of attribution of authorship

  • 193 Author's right of attribution of authorship  
  • 194 Acts giving rise to right of attribution of authorship  
  • 195 Nature of the identification of author  
  • 195AA Identification of author to be clear and reasonably prominent  
  • 195AB What is a reasonably prominent identification  

Division 2A--Right of attribution of performership

Division 3--Right not to have authorship of a work falsely attributed

Division 3A--Right not to have performership falsely attributed

Division 4--Right of integrity of authorship of a work

Division 4A--Right of integrity of performership

Division 5--Duration and exercise of moral rights

Subdivision A--Duration and exercise of moral rights of authors

Division 6--Infringement of moral rights

Subdivision A--Infringement of moral rights of authors
  • 195AO Infringement of right of attribution of authorship  
  • 195AP Infringement of right not to have authorship falsely attributed  
  • 195AQ Infringement of right of integrity of authorship  
  • 195AR No infringement of right of attribution of authorship if it was reasonable not to identify the author  
  • 195AS No infringement of right of integrity of authorship if derogatory treatment or other action was reasonable  
  • 195AT Certain treatment of works not to constitute an infringement of the author's right of integrity of authorship  
  • 195AU Infringement by importation for sale or other dealing  
  • 195AV Infringement by sale and other dealings  
  • 195AVA Matters to be taken into account  
  • 195AVB Communication by use of certain facilities  
  • 195AW Author's consent to act or omission--films or works in films  
  • 195AWA Author's consent to act or omission--work that is not a film or included in a film  
  • 195AWB Consent invalidated by duress or false or misleading statements  
  • 195AX Acts or omissions outside Australia  
  • Subdivision B--Infringement of moral rights of performers
  • 195AXA Infringement of right of attribution of performership  
  • 195AXB Infringement of right not to have performership falsely attributed  
  • 195AXC Infringement of right of integrity of performership  
  • 195AXD No infringement of right of attribution of performership if it was reasonable not to identify the performer  
  • 195AXE No infringement of right of integrity of performership if derogatory treatment or other action was reasonable  
  • 195AXF Infringement by importation for sale or other dealing  
  • 195AXG Infringement by sale and other dealings  
  • 195AXH Matters to be taken into account  
  • 195AXI Communication by use of certain facilities  
  • 195AXJ Performer's consent to act or omission  
  • 195AXK Consent invalidated by duress or false or misleading statements  
  • 195AXL Acts or omissions outside Australia  

Division 7--Remedies for infringements of moral rights

Subdivision A--Remedies for infringement of moral rights of authors

Division 8--Miscellaneous

Subdivision A--Miscellaneous provisions about moral rights of authors

PART X--MISCELLANEOUS

Division 1--Interpretation

  • 195A Interpretation  

Division 2--Review

  • 195B Review of certain decisions  

Division 3--National Library of Australia

Division 4--Other matters

PART XI--TRANSITIONAL

Division 1--Preliminary

Division 2--Original works

Division 3--Subject-matter other than works

Division 4--Miscellaneous

  • 226 Actions for infringement  
  • 227 Infringing copies  
  • 228 Actions where copyright subject to exclusive licence  
  • 229 Offences and summary proceedings  
  • 230 Limitation of actions  
  • 231 Restriction of importation of printed copies of works  
  • 232 References and applications to Tribunal in relation to licence schemes  
  • 235 Crown copyright in films  
  • 236 Works made or published by international organizations  
  • 237 Subject - matter, other than original works, made or published by international organizations  
  • 239 Assignments and licences  
  • 240 Bequests  
  • 242 Groundless threats of legal proceedings  

Division 5--Works made before 1 July, 1912

  • 243 Interpretation  
  • 244 Application  
  • 245 Rights conferred by Copyright Act, 1911  
  • 246 Performing rights  
  • 247 Contributions to periodicals  
  • 248 Assignments and licences  

PART XIA--PERFORMERS----PROTECTION

Division 1--Preliminary

Division 2--Actions by performers

Division 3--Offences

Subdivision A--General offences

Division 4--Extension of protection to foreign countries

  • 248U Application to foreign countries  
  • 248V Denial of protection to citizens of countries not giving adequate protection to Australian performances  

PART XII--REGULATIONS

  • 249 Regulations  

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