Interest in copyright laws brings success
Front: Melchor Raval with the Honourable Justice Michael Kirby AC CMG, Rear: Paul Sudgen, Department of Business Law and Taxation
An understanding of copyright law in the internet age has won Monash student Melchor Raval the Australian Law Reform Commission’s (ALRC) coveted Kirby Cup.
The cup, named in honour of the Honourable Justice Michael Kirby AC CMG, the first chairperson of the ALRC, is presented to the winning student/s of the Kirby Cup Law Reform Competition.
The annual competition sees students or teams of up to four submit a paper on a topic of law reform in Australia.
Melchor’s winning entry The ménage a trios from hell – internet, digitisation and copyright law examined the challenges facing the application of copyright law in the internet age. He is currently a PhD student in the Department of Business Law and Taxation at the Berwick campus.
“The balance of copyright owner and user rights is compromised by technological overprotection and legislative ineffectiveness,” Melchor said.
“I proposed that the law can respond to these challenges by recognising the cultural norms which guide consumers to defy copyright law and technological protection measures. I also recommend alternative perspectives and solutions into this issue.”
Melchor was presented with the Kirby Cup at a special morning tea with Justice Kirby held at the ALRC in Sydney last week.
“It was a great honour to meet Justice Kirby and discuss the current copyright issues caused by the technological advances in our society. I have always admired him; he was the inspiration for me to undertake postgraduate studies,” Melchor said.
This is the second year Monash students have claimed the Kirby Cup with Israel Cowan and Adam Delacorn successful in 2010.
Melchor’s entry can be found on the Australian Law Reform Commission website.