[elearning] Copyright system under review - A message to teachers from Australian authors

[Roland Gesthuizen]

Apologies for the cross posts that some of you may get.

I was interesting to read this post from ATOM about copyright changes mooted and disappointing to read that some of the changes proposed that will further burden teachers and cripple how I adapt and use material in the classroom. The arrangement we have in place now seems to work quite well.  Hoping some of you will take an interest in this issue. 

I have attached a message from ATOM that explains how you can spend a few min to share your thoughts and the things you can include in an email to info at alrc.gov.au

Regards Roland

Roland Gesthuizen | eLearning Leader 
Keysborough College DEECD
http://about.me/rgesthuizen

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has." --Margaret Mead

Begin forwarded message:

> From: ATOM <editor at atom.org.au>
> Subject: Copyright system under review - A message to teachers from Australian authors
> Date: 17 July 2013 10:45:29 AM AEST
>  
>  		 
>  
> A message to teachers
> from Australian authors
> 
>  
> The copyright system is under review by the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC). The ALRC has made some proposals that we think discriminate against Australian creators and will also increase the administrative burden for teachers. The ALRC Discussion Paper which sets out these proposals can be found athttp://www.alrc.gov.au/publications/copyright-and-digital-economy-dp-79/ and we draw your attention in particular to Part 6 – Statutory Licences, and Part 13 – Educational Use.
> 
> Under the current legal framework (known as the statutory licence), teachers can use most text and images without copyright permission, because there are arrangements for fair payment to authors and publishers as the owners of the material. The payment, agreed to by education departments and independent education authorities and paid by them, is less than $17 per student a year. For this small annual payment, an average student is able to access 240 photocopied pages plus a range of digital content from a wide variety of sources, print and digital.
> 
> Australian authors and content creators consider the current system is both efficient and fair. It allows teachers to get on with the job of teaching without having to worry about copyright issues, and supports authors, illustrators and publishers in creating new content. Instead of statutory licences, the ALRC proposes that nebulous 'voluntary' arrangements be entered into between schools and creator-owners.
> 
> We urge you to tell the ALRC what you think before Wednesday 31 July. Here are some suggested statements you could make:
> 
> I am a primary/secondary teacher (strike out whichever is not applicable) with more than XX years’ experience (add more detail if desired).
> As a teacher, I routinely photocopy, print, scan and electronically share material with students in the classroom.
> The Educational Statutory Licence system makes my job easy. I can copy and share so much material, for about the quarter of the commercial cost of a textbook, and this facilitates my classroom practice.
> It is also reassuring to know that the people who create the educational content I use receive payment for their skill, time and effort.
> As a teacher, I take pride in delivering a superior learning experience for my students. Each class is different, so it would be rare for me to use exactly the same material year-in and year-out. I tailor the material to the challenges of each group of students.
> I understand a recommendation has been made to remove the current system and replace it with a combination of new arrangements.
> I strongly oppose any change to the current system that will create any further burden on my time.
> I strongly oppose any change to the current system that creates uncertainty about what I can and cannot share with my students.
> I strongly oppose any change to the current system that takes away fair remuneration from the people who create high-quality Australian educational resources, many of whom are teachers, which I rely on and value highly.
> Make an online submission here
> or email your submission to info at alrc.gov.au.
> 
> If you would like to copy in the ASA on any submission you make, or for further queries, please email:comms at asauthors.org.
> 
> https://asauthors.org
> 
>  
> 
> 

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