When animal rights group Farm Transparency Project blew the whistle on unlawful practices at an abattoir, they didn’t expect copyright laws to stop them. What’s the scam?
The scam is how the Federal Court last week ruled in favour of the perpetrator, finding video footage cannot be used as evidence of animal cruelty when obtained without permission.
The Game Meats Company in Eurobin, Victoria, had argued that they indeed held the copyright for the footage, and the judge agreed, upholding an earlier judgment that awarded them $130,000 in damages, as well as ordering the footage destroyed.
That the company had engaged in unlaw practices when slaughtering goats, including slitting their throats without first stunning them, was not contested by the company. Such practices are illegal according to the Prevention of Animal Cruelty Act (Vic) and can lead to criminal prosecution.
However, Executive Director of the Farm Transparency Project, Chris Delforce, told MWM that they also have serious concerns about what this judgment will mean for transparency.
“The fact that the Game Meats Company has pushed this case through a six-day trial and an appeal in one of the highest courts of
Australia, simply to prevent footage from being published which shows their normal business operations, is absolutely condemnable. Now their cowardly actions have led to a wide-reaching legal precedent which”
will affect press freedoms and the rights of whistleblowers across the country.
Delforce confirmed to MWM that they are seeking leave to appeal the decision to the High Court.
Kim Wingerei is a businessman turned writer and commentator. He is passionate about free speech, human rights, democracy and the politics of change. Originally from Norway, Kim has lived in Australia for 30 years. Author of ‘Why Democracy is Broken – A Blueprint for Change’.