Books. Demonising the Productivity Commission distracts from what's needed now

By Kimberlee Weatherall, Rebecca Giblin
Updated August 25 2016 - 3:15am, first published August 24 2016 - 3:44pm
The bill would make it simpler and fairer for the print disabled to be able to access books, and thereby help do our bit to end the book famine. Photo: Tanya Lake
The bill would make it simpler and fairer for the print disabled to be able to access books, and thereby help do our bit to end the book famine. Photo: Tanya Lake

Kim Williams' speech at the Melbourne Press Club this week is the latest tirade against copyright reform. It's striking to observe such acid being spat at a Productivity Commission inquiry that isn't even finished. Modernising copyright's creaking 100-year-old structure with exceptions suited to our current environment – yes, including fair use – is really important, but there will be time to debate that when we have the report. Right now, the focus should be on moving forward with legislation to fix copyright's most egregious and indefensible failures.

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