The Garden of Australian Dreams: The Moral Rights of Landscape Architects

New Directions In Copyright Law: Vol. 3, Fiona MacMillan, Kathy Bowrey, eds., Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, 2006, 134-170.

41 Pages Posted: 9 Aug 2005 Last revised: 8 May 2017

See all articles by Matthew Rimmer

Matthew Rimmer

Queensland University of Technology (QUT)

Date Written: 2005

Abstract

This article considers the moral rights controversy over plans to redesign the landscape architecture of the National Museum of Australia. This dispute raises issues about the nature and scope of moral rights; the professional standing of landscape architects; and the culture wars taking place in Australia. Part 1 considers the introduction of the Copyright Amendment (Moral Rights) Act 2000 (Cth), with its special regime for architecture and public sculpture. It focuses upon a number of controversies which have arisen in respect of copyright law and architecture - involving the National Gallery of Australia, the National Museum of Australia, the Pig 'n Whistle pub, the South Bank redevelopment, and the new Parliament House. Part 2 examines the dispute over the Garden of Australian Dreams. The controversy is a striking one - as the Australian Government sought to subvert the spirit of its own legislation, the Copyright Amendment (Moral Rights) Act 2000 (Cth). Part 3 engages in a comparative study of how copyright law and architecture are dealt with in other jurisdictions. In particular, it considers the dual operation of the Architectural Works Copyright Act 1990 (US) and the Visual Artists Rights Act 1990 (US) and a number of controversies in the United States - over the Tilted Arc sculpture, a Los Angeles tower block that appeared in the film Batman Forever, a community garden mural, a sculpture park, and the Freedom Tower.

Keywords: Copyright Law, Moral Rights, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Design, Sculpture, Gardens, Public Monuments, Cultural Politics

Suggested Citation

Rimmer, Matthew, The Garden of Australian Dreams: The Moral Rights of Landscape Architects (2005). New Directions In Copyright Law: Vol. 3, Fiona MacMillan, Kathy Bowrey, eds., Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, 2006, 134-170., Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=746405

Matthew Rimmer (Contact Author)

Queensland University of Technology (QUT) ( email )

Level 4, C Block Gardens Point
2 George St
Brisbane, Queensland QLD 4000
Australia

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