The Federal
Court will become the first Australian court to broadcast
a live judgment with video and audio on its home page.
The case is
Australian Olympic Committee Inc. v Big Fights Inc. [1999]
FCA 1042, and concerns the copyright in films of the 1956
Melbourne Olympic Games.
The judgment
is to be handed down by Justice Kevin Lindgren in Sydney
tomorrow, Tuesday 3 August at 9.15 am. He will read a
short summary that will be broadcast live by cable channel
Sky News Australia. The vision is to be made available
to mainstream television and radio stations.
The Federal
Court’s internet address is http://www.fedcourt.gov.au
but users need to be aware that live video/audio streaming
is only possible if they have already downloaded the free
Microsoft Media Player. If users do not have the media
player they can click on an icon on the Federal Court's
home page to download it. They should allow about 40 minutes
for this to happen.
Federal Court
Chief Justice Michael Black said the court was keen to
continue its long running experiment with television and
the use of the internet was a natural evolutionary step.
“We are constantly exploring
ways of improving public access to this court and television,
radio, and the internet are obvious methods of achieving
this.”
“The Court has been encouraged
by the reaction on the occasions that it has permitted
camera access.”
The full text
of the judgment will also be available on the internet.
