Copyright and the World-Wide Web

With respect to how it's used for publishing, production, research or just plain old entertainment, the internet is a domain that has for the most part written its rules. But how do you strike a balance between commercial and social imperatives at a time when access to material on the web is becoming increasingly conditional via a myriad laws, treaties and free trade agreements? This week, on World Intellectual Property Day, Australia became signatory to two new treaties aimed at strengthening copyright protection on the net. A number of organisations are now rallying in support of the web as being just as important as a tool of research and development as it is a vehicle for commerce and industry.