In the letter, Linux Australia states that: "Proposals to outlaw legitimate access to copyright material threaten [open source] by creating new legal weapons against legitimate competition and forcing business to migrate back towards the incumbent and predominantly international software suppliers.

"Business disruption and higher prices will be one side-effect of poor implementation of our anti-circumvention obligations."

Anti-circumvention laws may introduce and enforce a new category of copyright violations that prohibit users from circumventing security controls designed to control access to digital media and products. The laws are required under the Free Trade Agreement negotiated between the U.S. and Australia.

When asked if the Department would meet Linux to discuss the proposed laws, the Attorney General's office said it is open to discussion but stopped short of a definitive answer."The Attorney General has a very open policy to meeting with industry," the spokesperson said. "The government has not finalized its views on this matter and there are more consultations planned with industry."

Linux Australia IP policy advisor Rusty Russell said although the treaty does not demand Australia adopt a carbon copy of the suppressive U.S. law, "large business interests" are pushing for similar restrictions on access to digital material.