The proposition Copyright is Dead, Long Live the Pirates was put to the audience after a debate last night on intellectual property and the need to ensure creators of content are paid for their work.
Internet Service Providers would be required to issue warnings to subscribers who are suspected of illegally downloading copyright material in a measure being considered by the federal government.
Making entertainment content available in Australia at the same time or shortly after its overseas release, and at a comparable price, will reduce piracy, according to Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
"The Australian film and television sector would go from an internationally renowned industry... to a cottage industry overnight,†said SPA.
The government has argued the bill would simplify the copyright framework for the disability, education, library and archive sectors while still respecting the interests of copyright holders.
The Australian Directors Guild has blasted the proposed watering down of copyright laws as a threat to content creators.
The Intellectual Property Awareness Foundation says almost three-quarters of consumers would stop illegally downloading if they received a notice from their ISP
Dual campaigns to fight online piracy worldwide and to withstand any weakening of copyright protection in Australia are stepping up.