Digital Technology and the Copyright Act 1994 position paper released
Associate Commerce Minister Judith Tizard today announced the release of a position paper “Digital Technology and the
Copyright Act 1994”.
The Ministry of Economic Development paper outlines the Ministry’s suggested policy responses to the issues arising from
the current review of the implications of digital technology for the Copyright Act 1994. It also gives further
consideration to issues raised by relevant new international standards, in particular the 1996 World Intellectual
Property Organisation "Internet Treaties".
“New Zealand’s intellectual property laws, including the Copyright Act, are an important element of our innovation
framework,” said Judith Tizard. “Copyright is the basis of legal protection for the creative industries and is also
vital in any industry that involves design or planning, the production of consumer goods or the expression of ideas or
information.”
The position paper forms the basis for a second round of consultation with a wide range of stakeholders including
copyright owners, creators and users of works of copyright.
“I encourage submissions from authors, musicians, producers, directors, copyright owners, users of copyright works and
the wider public on the proposals discussed in the paper,” said Judith Tizard.
Submissions will be considered in the development of policy recommendations to be presented to the government on
possible legislative reform and New Zealand's possible accession to new international copyright treaties.
Submissions on the position paper should be sent to:
Digital Technology and the Copyright Act 1994
Attention: Victoria Pearson
Regulatory and Competition Policy Branch
Ministry of Economic Development
PO Box 1473
WELLINGTON
The closing date for submissions on the position paper is Friday, 21 February 2003.
Copies of the position are available from the Ministry of Economic Development’s website: http://www.med.govt.nz/buslt/int_prop/digital/position/