The Copyright Act 1994 protects creators’ rights in literary, artistic, musical, film, software, and other works in New Zealand. It outlines exclusive rights, infringement remedies, technological protections, and permitted acts relevant to digital environments.
Purpose
The Act ensures creators’ works are protected and provides legal frameworks to prevent unauthorized copying or use. It aims to balance protection for creators with reasonable public access and fair use.
Key Features
Protects literary, artistic, musical, film, and software works
Grants exclusive rights to creators
Provides remedies for copyright infringement
Includes technological protection measures
Permitted acts allow certain uses without infringement (e.g., education, research)
Māori Works and Taonga
The Act has been criticized for not fully safeguarding mātauranga Māori and taonga works. Reports such as Wai 262 highlight the need for frameworks that recognize Māori interests in traditional knowledge and cultural expressions. Integrating these considerations helps organizations respect Māori cultural heritage while complying with copyright law.
Relevance to IT
In digital environments, the Act guides software developers, content creators, and IT professionals in respecting copyright, implementing licensing, avoiding infringement, and using works legally. Understanding these rights helps manage risk and maintain ethical standards in IT practice.