ALŠC

Australian Libraries Copyright Committee

To view Word Format of this document: ALCC

Ms Fiona Phillips
Director
Copyright Law Review Committee Secretariat
Attorney-General's Department
Robert Garran Offices
National Circuit
BARTON ACT 2600

Dear Ms Phillips

Re: CLRC Copyright and Contract reference

The Australian Libraries Copyright Committee thanks you for the opportunity to comment on the important issue of the intersection of copyright and contract. As providers of information to the Australian people, libraries face a special burden in complying with a licensing environment that seeks to supplant the role of the copyright law. Allowing contractual provisions to override copyright exceptions is not only against the public interest, it also puts libraries in the near impossible situation of ensuring that all staff and patrons comply with a multiplicity of different licence agreements.

The ALCC has had the opportunity to read and contribute to the submission of the Australian Digital Alliance and endorses it fully.

The ALCC would also draw your attention to the submissions of individual ALCC members. The members of the ALCC are:

The National Library of Australia;
The Australian Library and Information Association;
The Council of Australian State Libraries;
The Council of Australian University Libraries;
The Federal Libraries Information Network; and
The National Archives of Australia

Please note that Attachment A, the National Library of Australia audit of electronic material licences in its collection is confidential and is not to be made public with the rest of the ADA submission.

If you have any further questions or require any further evidence please do not hesitate to contact the me on (02) 6262 1273 or by email (nsmith@nla.gov.au).

Yours sincerely

Nick Smith