The GC O'Donnell essay prize is awarded every two years.

The closing date for submissions for the 2009 prize has not yet been finalised, but is likely to be in September 2009. The prize of AUD$3,500 will be awarded at the 2009 Copyright Law and Practice Symposium, due to be held in Sydney in October 2009.

The prize is awarded to the author of an unpublished essay displaying original thinking on a topic of the author’s choice regarding copyright and the protection of the interests of authors. The winning entry is likely to exhibit original ideas on issues of practical importance in copyright or on copyright theory. The competition is open to any interested persons, including authors, lawyers and students, from anywhere in the world.

Entries should be a minimum of 5,000 and a maximum of 10,000 words.

All entries must be on A4 paper and typed double-spaced. The original and two copies should be submitted. The name of the author, a short biography and a summary the essay (in 50 to 100 words) should be included on a detachable page. In addition, a digital copy, clearly marked with the author's name in the subject line, should be sent to info@copyright.org.au. The author's name should not appear on the essay or the copies. Essays will not be returned.

The entries will be judged by a panel appointed by the board of the Australian Copyright Council. The board may elect to not award the prize if no entry is of a sufficient standard.

The wining essay will be published in Copyright Reporter, the journal of the Copyright Society of Australia.

Entries should be sent to:
Australian Copyright Council
PO Box 1986, Strawberry Hills NSW 2012
email info at copyright.org.au

• For information about previous winners, click here.
  
• For information about GC O'Donnell, click here.