assist creators and other copyright owners to exercise their rights effectively;
raise awareness about the importance of copyright
seek changes to law and policy to enhance the effectiveness and fairness of copyright
research and identify areas of copyright law which are inadequate or unfair;
foster cooperation amongst bodies representing creators and owners of copyright.
About Us
Supporting a creative Australia through information and advice on copyright
The Australian Copyright Council is an independent, non-profit organisation formed in 1968. Our mission is to advance the arts and the creative industries in Australia by promoting the value of copyright.
The Copyright Council's 24 members include the peak bodies for Australian writers, musicians, photographers, visual artists, journalists, film makers and architects.
Our Services
user-friendly Information Sheets and FAQs for copyright creators and users, freely available online
latest online news and commentary on copyright-related issues
online bookstore offering practical, user-friendly guides for copyright creators and users
national seminar program on Australian copyright law for copyright creators and users
free legal advice for professional artists and creators, educational institutions and libraries
Our Board
The Copyright Council's board has up to nine directors. At each Annual General Meeting (in April), affiliated organisations elect a maximum of six directors. Each elected director must be a representative of an affiliated organisation, and have been nominated by two other representatives of affiliated organisations.
The elected directors may appoint a representative of an affiliated organisation to fill a casual vacancy. In addition, the elected directors may appoint any person as an additional director, provided the total number of directors does not exceed nine.
Each director must retire at the following Annual General Meeting, but may be re-nominated for election or re-appointed.
How We Are Funded
We are a non-profit organisation. The majority of our revenue comes from our seminars, publication sales and member fees, and we also receive substantial funding from the Australia Council.
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, it's arts funding and advisory body.
Our Members
The Copyright Council's 24 members include the peak bodies for Australian writers, musicians, photographers, visual artists, journalists, film makers and architects. These organsations have members that are either owners of copyright or performers.
Each organisation appoints a representative, who is entitled to attend, vote at the Annual General Meeting and other meetings and be nominated for election to the board.
The Council provides information to member organisations about developments and law reform issues affecting their members, co-ordinates responses from member organisations on certain issues, and assists member organisations with the preparation of submissions on copyright issues.
The Council does not represent the views of each affiliated organisation on every issue about which it makes a submission. On some issues, such as moral rights and performers’ rights, some of the member organisations represent the views of “users” rather than creators of copyright material. On issues such as these, the Council makes submissions in the interests of creators.
The following organisations are currently affiliated with the Australian Copyright Council:
Annual Reports
You can follow the links to view our 2011 annual report, corporate governance statement and constitution.
Our Staff
We are a small team with experienced specialist lawyers.
Executive Director
Fiona Phillips
Legal Officers
Fiona James
Jerome John
Office & Events Manager
Rebecca Gyles
Marketing & Website Co-ordinator
Kim Girdlestone
Administrative Assistant
Sally Gyles
Contact Us
Copyright enquiries
Our Legal Advice Service is available online only. To access this service click here.
Please note: We DO NOT take any legal enquiries by phone or email (you will be re-directed back to our online Legal Advice Service).
Sales & Admin enquiries
Offices hours are 9am - 5pm
Email: info@copyright.org.au
Phone: +61 2 8815 9777
Fax: +61 2 8815 9799
Postal address
PO Box 1986
Strawberry Hills NSW 2012 Australia
Street address (Not open to the public)
3/245 Chalmers Street
Redfern NSW 2016 Australia