Associations and institutions are welcome to apply to become members of the ALCC.
Best practice is not to assert copyright over digitisations. This is the position supported by the ALCC. The National and State Libraries Australia’s (NSLA) position on Public Domain works also encourages this:
“NSLA supports the principle that public domain is a permanent state: the digital conversion of public domain works undertaken by NSLA libraries does not create a new copyright”. However, some reproductions of public domain works will create a new copyright. For example if an art photographer takes a photo of a painting that includes elements of composition such as special lighting or angles, the photograph will be a separate copyright work. As such, when you are having your public domain material copied it is prudent to ensure the library or archive owns any new copyright created, and consider marking the material as public domain online, so users know they are free to use it.”