Australian Attorney-General Philip Ruddock, yesterday provided an excellent example of how to draft un-workable legislation.At no small cost to the taxpayer, the Australian government, (without asking permission from the U.S. first, I may add) is proposing changes to copyright laws that will impose strict new limits on the use of material recorded from TV and CDs.
* Under the proposed changes, it will only be permissible to watch a recording from TV once - after which that recording will have to be deleted.
* Lending recorded copies of favourite shows and sporting events to family and friends, will be illegal.
While giving an impersonation of Perry Como on valium, Phil Ruddock told reporters, "These are commonsense amendments which will maintain Australia's copyright laws as the best in the world, for the benefit of our creators and other copyright owners."
He did not say how many people would actually take any notice of them. Anyone care to have a guess?
To read further information on the proposed changes, and the public's reaction to the proposals, read the Sydney Morning Herald blog.
