Access to information is a significant pathway to knowledge and open science. Therefore, it is hugely important to ensure such access is as widespread as possible. If we accept that in contemporary societies, knowledge dissemination primarily happens through digital media, it follows that access to knowledge must be a significant means of accessing and exercising power. Therefore, improving access to information resources equips people with relevant means towards the acquisition of knowledge and such access can happen through open science (Koutras 2023).
The Australian Government has been actively involved in the process of updating its copyright laws and regulations to align them with the evolving demands of the digital era (Cohen et al. 2015). It has undertaken several consultations and evaluations pertaining to diverse facets of the copyright system, including fair dealing, orphan works, internet infringement, and digital platforms. In addition, the Australian government has committed to examining the possible consequences of open access on the research industry in Australia and its implications for the public interest (Lacey, Coates, and Herington 2020). It has been acknowledged the pros of open access in terms of augmenting the prominence, calibre, and influence of Australian research, as well as promoting innovation, cooperation, and information dissemination (Chubb and Reed 2018).
The difficulties and complexities associated with the implementation of open access policies and practices have also been recognised. These problems include the need to balance the interests of many stakeholders, ensure compliance and sustainability, and align with international standards and norms (Aufderheide and Jaszi 2018). It should be noted that the Australian government has also shown strong support for open access initiatives, including the establishment of the National Research Infrastructure Roadmap, the development of the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research, endorsement of the FAIR Data Principles, participation in the Research Data Alliance, and support for the Australasian Open Access Strategy Group (Carroll et al. 2020).
Recent copyright reforms and public consultations reflect the government's commitment to creating a modern and flexible copyright system that promotes open access to Australian research while respecting the rights of authors, publishers, and the public (Mons 2018). These efforts include exploring fair dealing exceptions for research and education, statutory licencing schemes for orphan works, addressing digital platforms' impact on copyrighted content, and aligning Australian open access policies with international standards (Minister for Communications 2022).
Included in
[Session 2D]: Practice and Policy in OEAuthor Keywordsopen access, governance, copyright, intellectual property
