The law of copyright prevents copying. Copyright protects against unauthorised reproductions and public disseminations of an original work. It prevents the copying of a work whether it is:

• musical;
• dramatic;
• artistic or literary works such as:
  • models;
  • sculptures;
  • drawings;
  • plans; and
  • songs; or
• computer software and written material for example:
  • books;
  • manuals; and
  • advertising brochures.

Although copyright is commonly perceived as the intellectual property area of the arts and artistic endeavours it is in fact heavily relied on in an industrial context. Copyright has also become increasingly important in the online world where images may be located, reproduced and disseminated in a few clicks.

This Legal Guide on Copyright provides general information about how copyrights work and how it can be enforced. Before making important decisions it is advisable to obtain legal advice specific to your situation. LegalEagle’s™ free directory profiles all lawyers in Australia. You can use it to Find a Lawyer near you.

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Warning: Information provided through LegalEagle™ is for general guidance. It is not legal advice. Laws and procedures referred to may change and differ between states, territories and nationally. There may also be important exceptions or qualifications. Only a lawyer providing formal legal advice can assess your particular circumstances to determine how the law will apply.