Copyright Basics

Technological Protection Measures (TPMs)

TPMs are technological protection measures placed on copyright material to prevent unauthorised copying. Examples include software locks or password protection measures. There are two types of technologies protected by the Copyright Act:

  • Access Control TPMs – technologies that copyright owners use to control access to copyright material (such as a password control or technology that manages how long you have access to an electronic file).
  • Copy Control TPMs  – technologies that prevent, restrict or inhibit you from doing an act that is covered by copyright laws (such as a lock that stops you from copying software to a different computer or a copy-prevention measure on a music CD).

Schools and TAFEs are permitted to circumvent:

Schools and TAFEs are not permitted to circumvent an Access Control TPM for any other purpose (eg a teacher or student making a copy for their own fair dealing purposes).

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