Tourism Australia campaign 'ripping off artists'

Artists are being ripped off by copyright rules applied by the Federal Government's latest tourism campaign, arts groups claim.

Tourism Australia has been sourcing images and photographs from the public free of charge for use in its latest 'Nothing Like Australia' campaign.

The government agency has previously sourced artwork from commissioned and library-stock photographs, generating income for the copyright holders.

The National Association for the Visual Arts, the Australian Copyright Council and the Arts Law Centre of Australia are protesting the conditions.

They are demanding the agency relicense any photographs used in the campaign to pay royalties to the artists.

Arts Law Centre of Australia Chief Executive Robyn Ayres says the copyright rules set a "worrying precedent", adding "the creative industries play a huge role in our economy and our culture."

In a statement, Ayres explained ârefusing to license these photographic works in an appropriate way sends a message that it (Tourism Australia) does not value creative work in the same way as it values other economic assets."
AAP

26th May 2008 - PPCA ADVANCE ARTISTS CAUSE IN MUSIC LICENSING BATTLE