The future of Australian books and Australian stories is under threat.
Protect the livelihoods of Australian authors and the jobs of thousands employed in the Australian book industry.
Help us keep Australian books for Australian kids.
The study by the Productivity Commission into Australian territorial copyright for books is at a crucial stage. Some big retail chains have been pressing to completely abolish territorial copyright. After a strong campaign – involving more than 270 submissions - by people who care for the future of the Australian book industry, however, the Commission has stepped back from that.
Now it has recommended that territorial copyright for books only last 12 months. And at the same time it admits there is no evidence territorial copyright makes books more expensive!
Limiting territorial copyright to 12 months would be very destructive. Again, it would destroy the investment security that allows Australian publishers to invest in and develop Australian authors, illustrators and editors, and it would export jobs – just what we need in a recession!
Let the Productivity Commission know how you feel. Sign the petition below and Australians for Australian Books will send it to the Commission before supplementary submissions close. Please sign by 3 pm Friday April 17 to ensure your name goes on the petition sent to the Productivity Commission – but the petition will remain open so others can sign as well.
I support Australians for Australian Books. I want to keep a strong Australian book industry developing and supporting Australian authors, illustrators and editors, providing a wide range of books at competitive prices through a wide network of big and small booksellers. I strongly support retaining full Australian territorial copyright for books.
