Channel 7 claims copyright over Anna Coren

News.com.au reports on an interesting copyright twist in the recent catfight between Channel 7 and The Chaser over footage that The Chaser filmed in 7's studios in Sydney after apparently sneaking in uninvited.  Apparently 7 believes that sending camera crews onto private property, uninvited, ambushing people, filming them, and broadcasting the footage is morally objectionable.  I guess they'll be cancelling Today Tonight forthwith, in that case.  Pot, kettle, black.

Anyhow, although the judgment doesn't mention copyright issues -- Seven Network (Operations) Pty Ltd v Australian Broadcasting Corporation [2007] NSWSC 1289 -- the news.com.au report says that:

In an expensive bid to stop the skit via a Supreme Court injunction, Seven's lawyer Dauid Sibtain stated Coren's involvement as a "performer" meant the ABC would be breaking copyright laws if they reproduced her image without her employer's consent.

I don't know whether the news report is somewhat garbled, or whether 7's understanding of copyright is somewhat garbled.  Perhaps they think Ms Coren qualifies as an 'artistic work', the communication to the public of which would infringe the copyright that subsists in Coren?