Last updated 6 August 2008

HIGH COURT RULES IN FAVOUR OF SURVEYORS’ COPYRIGHT

Copyright Agency Limited (CAL)’s case for surveyors to have their copyright claims acknowledged has proved successful, with the High Court today (6 August 2008) overturning the Full Federal Court’s decision that State governments had an implied licence to use survey plans for free.

For more information please see the media release.

The Business Seminar

The annual Business Seminar is being held on Monday 4 August 2008 at Rydges on World Square, Sydney. Registrations are now being accepted, so don't miss out on this unique opportunity to strengthen your business skills. Download the registration form now.

Notice of General Meeting

The General Meeting to adopt the budget and fees for 2008/2009 will be held at 5pm on 18 June 2008 at Rydges on World Square. All member representatives are welcome; for catering purposes please advise our office by 11 June 2008 of your intention to attend. If you have not received the General Meeting papers please contact our office on (02) 9267 9728.

NSW Awards for Excellence in Surveying & Spatial Information 2008 Dinner Registration.

Dinner registrations are now open to all who wish to attend this annual gala black tie event to be held on Friday 26 September 2008 at the Shangri-La Hotel Sydney. Tickets are $160.00 each or why not take advantage of the early bird special by booking a table of ten by the 11 July 2008 for only $1,440.00 (inc GST). Download dinner registration form.

Sydney 2009 Yellow Pages Directory

Member applications for the Sydney 2009 Yellow Pages directory are due by the 30 May 2008. Download application form.

Surveyor General International Fellowship 2008

The Surveyor General is once again offering two fellowships to spatial professionals and surveying graduates valued at $15,000 each.

The purpose of these Fellowships is to:
• Provide an opportunity for personal and professional development for spatial
professionals and surveying graduates in emerging areas
• Promote the broader opportunities for surveyors and spatial professionals both in Australia and overseas in surveying and spatial information
• Gain international knowledge, best practice and work experience through overseas travel to selected jurisdictions which may include public or private sectors or a staff exchange.

Applications close 5.00 PM, 25 August 2008. For information on how to apply download the information flier now.

NSW Awards for Excellence in Surveying & Spatial Information 2008

The presentation dinner for this years awards will be held on Friday 26 September 2008 at the Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney.

All expressions of interest to enter are due by 30 May 2008. Entries must be received at IS NSW office by 5.00 pm Monday 28 July 2008. The Information Kit for Entrants outlines the category criteria and what should be included in your written submission.

Sample Disclaimer for Topographic Surveys

We have added two new links in the Members area under Resource Documents, Links & Templates called Sample Disclaimer Readme 1st file for Topographic Surveys and a Sample Disclaimer to put on the plan.

All bold italics text in the Readme 1st file must be inserted to suit the relevant firm and plan before issuing.

We are looking at adding more sample disclaimers to this page in the future.

Get Skilled

Sydney Institute of Technology are offering a free course to unemployed people interested in entering the spatial information industry. For further information download the brochure or contact:
Surveying and SIS Section, Sydney Institute of Technology
Phone : (02) 9217 5161

Professional Surveyors (Private Industry) (State) Award

This award was varied to increase rates of pay and allowances effective from the first pay period on or after 20 March 2008. New rates have been posted in the member area.

The Business Seminar & The October Conference 2008

Plans are already under way for our annual one day Business Seminar that will be held in Sydney on Monday 4 August and the two day October Conference held jointly with the NSW Country Surveyors Association that will be held on 24-25 October at the Quality Hotel Powerhouse in Tamworth. Mark these dates in your diary now.

Surveyor General International Fellowship 2007

The Surveyor General is once again offering two fellowships to spatial professionals and surveying graduates valued at $15,000 each.

The purpose of these Fellowships is to:
• Provide an opportunity for personal and professional development for spatial
professionals and surveying graduates in emerging areas
• Promote the broader opportunities for surveyors and spatial professionals both in Australia and overseas in surveying and spatial information
• Gain international knowledge, best practice and work experience through overseas travel to selected jurisdictions which may include public or private sectors or a staff exchange.

Applications close 5.00 PM, 16 November 2007. For information on how to apply download the information flier now.

NSW Awards for Excellence in Surveying & Spatial Information 2007

The presentation dinner for this years awards was held at the Westin Hotel on the 28th September. If you would like a hard copy of the Book of Finalists please contact us with your mailing address.

Wage Rate Changes

Applicable 1 October 2007 the following Notional Agreement Wage Rates have increased:Notional Agreement Preserving Professional Surveyors (Private Industry) (State) Award, Notional Agreement Preserving Clerical and Administrative Employees (NSW) State Award and Notional Agreement Preserving Draughting Employees, Planners, Technical Employees (State) Award.

The new wage rate schedules are ready for download from our Members section under Award/NAPSA Information.

LPI Plan Forms

A revised format of all plan forms comes into use on 1 September.

Members can access copies of the plan forms in DGN, DWG and DXF formats in the Resource Document page in the member section.

Copyright Agency Limited press release

Court decides Surveyors own copyright in maps and plans
Surveyors own the copyright in the maps and plans they create, the Full Federal Court decided on 5 June 2007.

The court rejected a claim by the NSW Government that it owned the copyright in the plans surveyors created and registered.

CAL Chief Executive Jim Alexander said a fundamental principle was upheld by this decision for surveyors to have their copyright claim acknowledged.

Copyright Agency Limited, whose members include surveyors, made an application to the Copyright Tribunal for a determination under ss 183 and 183A of the Copyright Act and certain questions were referred for a legal decision to the Federal Court.

The court found none of the plans were made under the direction and control of the State of NSW, or first published by the State.

However, the court also found that the State was authorised to use the registered plans under the statutory and regulatory framework without remuneration for surveyors.

It also said the entering of data in survey plans on to the State’s Digital Cadastral Database (DCDB) did not entail a reproduction in the ‘copyright' sense.

“We are disappointed that despite acknowledging the copyright owned by our surveyor members, the court has implied there is a licence for the government to use the surveyors' works without compensation,” Mr Alexander said.

“CAL is considering the decision and will decide on our next move in the next few weeks,” he said.