As you may know, the library and educational sectors have been lobbying since 1998 for better and more balanced copyright laws. On 27 July 2015, the Department of Trade and Industry published a new Copyright Amendment Bill for public comment.
See: http://www.gov.za/documents/copyright-amendment-bill-comments-invited-27-jul-2015-0000.
Now we have the chance to comment and ensure that the Copyright Bill provides adequate provisions for education, research, libraries, archives, persons with disabilities, digitisation, etc. Please have a look at the Bill and have your say (please can you copy your submissions to me so that we can see what concerns people have on these issues). Some issues of concern I have picked up already (just browsed through last night) are the provisions for format shifting, orphan works which are impractical and no provisions for deaf or other disabled persons, issues around legal deposit for preserving our cultural heritage, issues around filmmakers and scriptwriters, etc. I will be studying it more carefully this week.
I am glad that the copyright term does not change and that some of the benefits of fair use have been introduced.
Interested persons may submit written comments on the proposed Copyright Amendment Bill in writing within 30 (Thirty) calendar days from the date of publication of this Notice (i.e. 27 JULY 2015) to :
Director General, Department of Trade and Industry
For Attention: Meshendri Padayachy
Private Bag X84
Pretoria, 0001
Or
Hand deliver to:
77 Meinjies Street
Block B, 1ST Floor,
Sunnyside
Pretoria
Or
Email: MPadayachy@thedti.gov.za
Find the Amendment Bill Draft here.
