The Open Review of the South African Copyright Act is a project driven by the Shuttleworth Foundation and the Trade Law Centre for Southern Africa (tralac) in partnership with the Open Society Institute (OSI). It aims to review the provisions of the current South African Copyright Act with particular focus on sections which impact on access to knowledge, especially access to learning materials. There review will link knowledge policy debate and the technical details of copyright legislation through a clear, consistent and thorough critique of South African copyright legislation.
Both globally and in South Africa copyright law has not changed as rapidly as technology. The current South African Copyright Act was passed in 1978. The difference in pace of change generates uncertainties about the creative use of new media. It is imperative for access to knowledge advocacy that those engaging in research, advocacy and the legislative process be provided with a guide which links the mechanics of the current act to its impact on access to knowledge. The Alternative Law Forum review of the Indian Copyright Act has proven that a section by section review of existing legislation is a helpful analytical tool for those engaging in policy making in the area of copyright.
The review is open for comment to the broader community on the Copyright Review wiki.
Comment's from voices not usually heard in copyright discussion - librarians, the sensory disabled, software engineers, artists and new media users such as bloggers - are especially important.