This looks like a definite step in the right direction on copyright:Protecting precious parody. The article is mostly about the parody protection laws (which I actually thought we already had), but for me the kicker is half way down the page:

There are other elements to the Copyright bill, that are aimed at ensuring consumers are not treated like copyright pirates and copyright pirates are not treated like consumers. They include:

Making it legal for people to record TV or radio programs in order to play them at a more convenient time.

Legalising ‘format shifting’ of material such as music, newspapers, books – meaning people can put CD’s they own onto their iPods or MP3 players;

Giving schools, universities, libraries more flexibility to use copyright material for non-commercial purposes; and

Helping people with disabilities access copyright material.

As we know, the devil is in the details, which can been seen here (pdf document of the Senate Bill). I’ll be having a read of that & seeing what they’re actually suggesting.

[tags]Copyright, Music, Australia, Politics[/tags]