Overview

Screenrights was established in 1990 to administer provisions in the Australian Copyright Act that allow educational institutions to copy from television and radio, provided payment is made to the copyright owners.

Access through licences

They now license:

• Educational institutions in Australia and New Zealand, enabling them to copy broadcast material, and put these copies on internal networks or email them to staff and students
• Pay television, mobile phones, IPTV and other services that retransmit free to air broadcasts
• State and federal government departments, enabling them to copy from television and radio.

Payment to copyright owners

Licence fees from each of these services are distributed to copyright owners on a non-profit basis. They distribute royalties from similar overseas agencies administering licences in their territories. Screenrights can also be appointed to collect and disburse revenues from the exploitation of marketing rights in their films, television series, documentaries and other productions.

Bringing filmmakers and educators together

Screenrights brings filmmakers and educators together through its online resource centre, EnhanceTV. Teachers can find out what’s on television relevant to their learning area, order copies of programs and find free resources, such as study guides and articles - or they can use their flagship streaming service, EnhanceTV Direct.