Intellectual Property Update

The Copyright Amendment (Computer Programs) Act 1999 provides independent software producers and others with a number of exemptions to the copyright infringement of computer programs. The Act will come into effect on 24 February 2000 or sooner should the Government publish a proclamation to that effect.

The Act allows:

reproduction of computer programs for normal use or study;
reproduction to produce interoperable products;
reproduction to correct errors; and
reproduction of computer programs for security testing.

The Act is drafted in reasonably plain English and we recommend that you take the time to read it through.