Blocking websites to stymie online piracy should only be used as a last resort, librarians have warned.
In a submission to a Senate inquiry into federal government legislation before parliament, the Australian Libraries Copyright Committee says a crackdown on online piracy has to be exercised with great caution.
The legislation will allow rights-holders to seek a court injunction forcing internet service providers to block access to piracy websites hosted overseas.
The librarians recognise there are some positives in the legislation but with reservations.
"We do not believe these provide adequate protection to the principle of freedom of information and access to knowledge," their submission said.
There was no explicit protection of freedom of expression which had negative impacts upon human rights.
The libraries committee proposed extra amendments including creating an easily-accessible online list of blocked sites, judgments and orders, as well as an explicit direction for any court to consider the impact of freedom of expression.
The committee also used its submission to call for outstanding copyright reforms to be addressed, citing the inability of university libraries to make copies of DVDs for hearing-impaired students without incurring criminal liability.
The lack of fair use meant they were significantly hampered in serving the public.
"Should this additional measure of enforcement be implemented, we strongly urge the government to also progress the outstanding copyright reforms in the public interest with equal haste."
