Parallel Importing Delayed

(1/6/98)

Following intense lobbying, the Federal Government has delayed for 18 months the implementation of its moves to bring its new copyright legislation into law

The ownership of copyright in brand names has been used as an effective vehicle to prevent unauthorised companies from importing goods already represented by an official Australian distributor.

The new legislation being brought in was ostensibly to reduce the price of pre-recorded CDs, but had an unintended impact on the camera market.

PICA has joined with numerous other importer associations to create a powerful lobby group known as the Brands Coalition.

PICA takes the view that it is unfair that the official distributor has to bear all the costs of promoting and servicing a brand and then compete with a grey marketing outfit leaching off their efforts.