The Government has released the Final Report of the Convergence Review today.

In April 2011 the Government appointed a Convergence Review Committee to examine the policy and regulatory frameworks that apply to the converged media and communications landscape in Australia. The Committee engaged in widespread consultations and released an Interim Report in December 2011.

While the Convergence Review did not specifically look at copyright issues, it attracted the interest of many copyright stakeholders. The TV Now decision handed down by the Federal Court on 27 April is an example of how convergence is impacting copyright law – see our piece at http://www.copyright.org.au/news-and-policy/details/id/2061/

In the draft terms of reference for the Australian Law Reform Commission Review (ALRC) of Copyright, the Attorney-General has asked the ALRC to take into account the recommendations of the Convergence Review. View these at http://www.ag.gov.au/Consultationsreformsandreviews/Pages/Draft-Terms-of-Reference-for-the-Australian-Law-Reform-Commission-Reference-on-Copyright.aspx

The Final Report of the Convergence Review can be viewed here:

http://www.dbcde.gov.au/digital_economy/convergence_review