The government is proposing changes to copyright law aimed at supporting New Zealand’s creators and cultural institutions, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Cameron Brewer said.
“Last week we announced a 20-year extension to copyright protection, keeping some of our most iconic works earning for the artists who created them,” Brewer said.
“Now we’re going further with a set of changes that strengthen creators’ rights and help safeguard our cultural treasures for future generations.”
“Our museums, libraries, galleries and archives are the keepers of our national story. But too much of what they hold is fragile, at risk of deterioration, and locked up by copyright rules built for a different era.”
Brewer said the government is updating the Copyright Act to give not-for-profit galleries, libraries, archives and museums greater flexibility to create digital copies of works. He said this would help preserve material before it is lost and improve public access to collections.
“They’ll also be empowered to use works whose copyright holders are unknown or can’t be contacted, after making a reasonable search.”
“The rights of creators are staying front of mind. Digital copies made by these institutions can’t be used for commercial purposes.”
He also said the government is taking action against offshore piracy, with courts set to receive a clearer framework to block overseas websites that illegally copy and distribute creators’ work.
“Creators who use copyright licensing organisations to manage their rights will have the assurance these bodies can take collective action on their behalf to prevent illicit uses of their works.”
“And for commissioned works, like hiring a photographer to capture an event, the creator will be the first copyright owner unless they agree otherwise, putting creators in a stronger position from the start.”
He said that alongside a 20-year extension, the government is also strengthening protections for the digital tools creators use to safeguard their work online.
For Brewer, the changes would provide New Zealand creators with longer and stronger protections than they have had previously.