[Linux-aus] ADA Forum On TPMs: Protecting Access to Knowledge in the Digital Age

[Janet Hawtin]

ADA Forum On TPMs: Protecting Access to Knowledge in the Digital Age

The ADA will be holding a forum covering Technological Protection 
Measures (TPMs) on Monday 7 August 2006 at the National Library of 
Australia in Canberra.

The purpose of the forum will be to explore the legal and practical 
issues surrounding TPMs, to gauge the impact of these issues on ADA 
members, and to address any remaining concerns surrounding 
implementation of the AUSFTA.

The forum will look at issues such as:
* What TPMs are, what they do, & how the Australia-US Free Trade 
Agreement (AUSFTA) may affect their protection under Australian 
Copyright law;

* The problems that laws relating to TPMs present for information users, 
particularly educational and cultural institutions and their clients, 
and for those working in the information technology industry, including 
innovators and consumers;

* The relevant exceptions which may be applicable to educational & 
cultural institutions, consumers and innovators;
As many of you are probably aware, the AUSFTA requires Australia to 
amend the Copyright Act 1968 to comply with the TPM provisions contained 
therein by 1 January 2007.

Recently, a House of Representatives Legal and Constitutional Affairs 
Committee made several recommendations in relation to how this might be 
done (see the Committee's report at: 
http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/laca/reports.htm).

However, there are several outstanding issues regarding not only how 
these provisions will be implemented in Australian law, but also how the 
these laws will impact upon ADA members.

To Register For This Forum:

Please fill out the registration form and

either fax to 6273 2545

or email to swaladan at nla.gov.au

http://www.digital.org.au/