Is the Creative Commons Licence legal in Australia?
Yes. The Creative Commons Licence was made compatible with Australian copyright law in 2005. It is also compatible with similar Creative Commons Licences in many other countries.
Does the Creative Commons Licence cost anything? Is there a yearly fee?
No. The Creative Commons Licence is free. All you have to do is advise the Bureau of Meteorology that you would like to apply the Creative Commons Licence to your water information.
What if I don't wish to use the Creative Commons Licence and the Bureau of Meteorology publishes my water information?
The Bureau is required by law to publish your water information. If you choose not to use the Creative Commons Licence, the Bureau will still attribute your organisation as the source of the information. It will also provide your organisation's contact details so that the community may enquire with your organisation about the terms and conditions under which they may use the information.
There are other Creative Commons licences. Why has the Bureau of Meteorology only endorsed the Creative Commons Attribution Australia 2.5 Licence?
There are 6 Creative Commons Australia licences that are compatible with Australian copyright law. However, each of the remaining licences, to some extent, restricts the reuse of information. The Bureau has determined that the Creative Commons Attribution Australia 2.5 Licence meets the desired policy objectives of the Water Act 2007.
The Bureau of Meteorology has a restrictive copyright statement covering the majority of its website, why has it chosen to use a Creative Commons licence for water information only?
The Bureau of Meteorology has endorsed the Creative Commons Licence for use with water information because it permits the broadest reuse of water information, which meets the policy objectives of the Water Act 2007. The Bureau is currently reviewing its copyright statement covering other information on its website.
Why can't the Bureau of Meteorology just licence my information under Creative Commons?
The Creative Commons Licence operates on the basis that your organisation's copyright exists in your organisation's water information. The Water Act 2007 provides that ownership of property rights (such as copyright) in the water information remain with the supplier. Therefore, only your organisation can apply, or notify the Bureau of its desire to apply, the Creative Commons Licence to its water information.
Who can I contact if I have further questions about the use of the Creative Commons licence for my water information?
