Overview

The aim of this unit is to enable students, through the study of cases, statutes and other material, to acquire a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of, and competence in, Australian copyright law and its broader context. This unit introduces students to the laws relating to copyright in Australia, specifically focusing on the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth) and related case law.

Requisites

Prerequisites

75 credit points in Law units

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Teaching Period 3
Location
Online
Start and end dates
04-November-2024
09-February-2025
Last self-enrolment date
17-November-2024
Census date
29-November-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
27-December-2024
Results released date
04-March-2025
Teaching Period 2
Location
Online
Start and end dates
07-July-2025
05-October-2025
Last self-enrolment date
20-July-2025
Census date
01-August-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
22-August-2025
Results released date
28-October-2025
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
04-August-2025
02-November-2025
Last self-enrolment date
17-August-2025
Census date
31-August-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
19-September-2025
Results released date
09-December-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Describe and evaluate Australian copyright law
  • Locate and interpret legislation applicable to copyright law
  • Apply copyright law to factual situations and effectively advise and communicate with clients and others about their rights and obligations
  • Conduct copyright law related research and use the results of that research to develop a legal argument

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
On-campus
Class		3.00 12 weeks 36
Online
Lecture		1.00 12 weeks 12
Unspecified Activities
Various		8.50 12 weeks 102
TOTAL150

Swinburne Online

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Online
Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning		11.50 12 weeks 138
Live Online
Class		1.00 12 weeks 12
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
PortfolioIndividual 30 - 50% 2,3,4 
Research AssignmentIndividual 50 - 70% 1,2,3,4 

Content

  • Introduction to Copyright Act 1968 (Cth)
  • Rationale for protection
  • Fundamentals of copyright
  • Subsistence of copyright
  • Territoriality connecting factors
  • Authorship
  • Duration of protection
  • Exclusive rights
  • Exploitation
  • Infringement
  • Defences
  • Remedies
  • Performers’ rights
  • Moral rights

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.