How fair are the existing defences to copyright infringement in Australian law? In balancing the competing public interests of protecting private property rights on the one hand, versus freedom of expression (or at least the widespread dissemination of knowledge and ideas) on the other, how balanced are the present legislative settings in furthering these typically divergent policy objectives?

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Question 3:

3. How fair are the existing defences to copyright infringement in Australian law? In balancing the competing public interests of protecting private property rights on the one hand, versus freedom of expression (or at least the widespread dissemination of knowledge and ideas) on the other, how balanced are the present legislative settings in furthering these typically divergent policy objectives?

In giving your answer, discuss the full range of copyright defences under Australian law, your understanding of the comparative concepts of ‘fair use’ versus ‘fair dealing’, and what the notion of infringement of copyright encompasses.