AWG calls for copyright laws that reward creators

10 December, 2015

In its submission to the Productivity Commission’s public inquiry into Australia's intellectual property system, the Australian Writers’ Guild said the industry has outgrown the current copyright system, which provides insufficient protection to performance writers.The AWG has proposed that the Government amends the nation’s copyright laws to provide a fairer and more transparent method of rewarding creators for the ongoing exploitation of their original work. Most writers are self-employed men and women who contribute significantly to the Australian stage and screen industry and rely on copyright for a living.The current system provides insufficient financial incentives for creators nor sufficient financial return on their copyright.AWG Executive Director Jacqueline Elaine says Australian stage and screen writers make vital contributions to culture, diversity and economic growth in Australia, building community and an Australian perspective on the world.“The stage and screen industry is an important economic contributor to the Australian economy, contributing $5.8 billion to GDP in 2013,” she says. “Writers are creative and talented individuals whose work forms the basis of all film, television and dramatic productions. Their work is fundamental to bringing people into cinemas, theatres and homes across Australia.”The AWG is calling for copyright reform to enshrine a right to fair remuneration for authors through an inalienable and unwaivable remuneration right to fair remuneration for the success of their work.Copyright is at the core of both the development and sustainability of original creations and this review comes at a critical time to ensure that copyright remains relevant to its core purpose of creating incentive and reward.The full text of the AWG submission is available here: AWGTheatrePetition2010.