In a victory for common sense, the Australian government has decided to retain territorial copyright, keeping Australia in line with other publishing nations and helping to ensure our vibrant and exciting publishing industry continues to thrive.
The Australian Society of Authors, along with publisher organisations, unions and most booksellers, conducted a strong campaign to retain territorial copyright.
“The ASA membership has once again demonstrated its quiet strength,” ASA Executive Director Dr Jeremy Fisher declared. “Our members have been constantly telephoning and writing to their parliamentary representatives pointing out how the removal of territorial copyright would destroy Australia’s literary culture and publishing industry. Their persistence has been rewarded. Our leaders have listened. Today’s announcement by Competition Minister Craig Emerson that the parallel importations restriction in our Copyright Act will remain unchanged is a clear victory for Australia’s literary creators.”