A new report on the economic contribution of Australia’s copyright industries identifies software developers and advertising services as high performing copyright industries.

The biennial PwC Report into The economic contribution of Australia’s copyright industries has demonstrated the scale and importance of the copyright industries in Australia. Using a framework from the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), the Report explores the economic contributions made by the four categories of copyright industries in Australia.

Data Source: The economic contribution of Australia’s copyright industries, PwC, June 2020, pg. 7

If you work in the space of graphic design, industrial design, product design manufacturing, user experience design, architectural design, publishing or the visual or performing arts, then it’s likely your business contributes to the core copyright industry in Australia. Alternatively, your services may be inter-dependent on or otherwise support the production of copyright works.

What were the key insights from the Report?

The Report reveals how competition from new businesses and distribution models in a digital environment continues to disrupt the core copyright industries. However, the data also suggests that inter-dependent industries are also establishing themselves as key drivers in the value of copyright in Australia.

Here is a snapshot from the Report:

Data Source: The economic contribution of Australia’s copyright industries, PwC, June 2020, pg. 4

The Report also found that if the copyright industries were considered a single, stand-alone industry, it would be the fifth largest industry in Australia, in terms of gross value added [1].

Data Source: PwC (2020) ‘The economic contribution of Australia’s copyright industries’ pg. 16

This means that the copyright industries have generated more value than manufacturing, retail and trade, transport or education and training industries in Australia.

Who is contributing to growth?

Industry growth in the past five years has been driven by the advertising services and software and databases sub-industries [2].

The software and databases sub-industry has more than doubled the average growth rate of other copyright industries across the board. The value of the advertising industry also grew by an average of 2.8% per annum between 2014 and 2018[3], outpacing the overall growth of other categories overall, as shown in the below extract from the Report:

Data Source: PwC (2020) ‘The economic contribution of Australia’s copyright industries’ pg. 13

Also, export activity for independent copyright industries account for just over 90% of total copyright exports in Australia[4]. This includes the production of essential equipment such as computers and electronics.

Achieving value on return: protecting and commercialising your copyright assets

Before copyright works can return value to a business, the works need to be identified and protected. Examples of how this can occur include:

• ensuring that the IP subsisting in customised software, mobile applications, and website content/code is assigned to the business in written agreements;

• controlling the use of a business’ copyright by employees, licensees, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, suppliers, contractors and consultants in written agreements;

• managing the sale and transfer of works of copyright between businesses through written agreements;

• registration of business-critical inventions and product designs; and

• registration of branding, trading names and logos as trade marks.

At Sladen Legal, we are at our happiest working with creatives and manufacturers to insulate and protect their copyright. We can also guide you through a commercialisation strategy for your intellectual property, including research and development, licensing and any copyright infringement or ownership disputes. Our aim is to ensure your rights are protected and revenue generation is maximised.  Afterall, your work is valuable and contributing significantly to our economy.

To discuss further or for more information please contact:

Michelle Dowdle
Principal Lawyer
T +61 3 9611 0114
M +61 408 674 256
E: mdowdle@sladen.com.au

Laura Bentley
Lawyer
T +61 3 9611 0120
E: lbentley@sladen.com.au

[1] PwC (2020) ‘The economic contribution of Australia’s copyright industries’ pg. 4
[2] PwC (2020) ‘The economic contribution of Australia’s copyright industries’ pg. 13
[3] ibid.
[4] ibid.