Australian consumers should be able to go around pointless geoblocks on streaming services.

Many Australians use VPNs and other approaches to watch the US version of Netflix, HBO GO and other services that block Australians due to licensing issues, or simply to charge them more.

But the Productivity Commission has now ruled that these geoblocks are “pervasive”, and serve largely to give Australians a lower level of services at a higher price.

The PC’s new report concludes that the answer to piracy is not “big brother enforcement”.

It finds that Australian consumers should be able to view international streaming without the fear of breaking copyright law.

Productivity Commission commissioner Karen Chester says geoblocking really only encourages internet piracy.

“Unless you've got a teenager that can help you get around the geoblocking, some people will be able to access and others won't,” Ms Chester said.

“Those that won't will just breach copyright, do what we're all doing [using a VPN] and get around the geoblock and access the US Netflix or the Canadian Netflix.

“Making copyright material more accessible and more competitively priced online, and not geoblocking, is the best antidote to copyright infringement.”

The Productivity Commission says the Federal Government should be clear that it is not an infringement of copyright for consumers to evade geoblocks.

It also calls on the Government to avoid international obligations or trade deals that support geoblocking and other restrictions.

On similar matters, the Productivity Commission said patents and copyright shelf lives for books do not make much sense in the internet age.

It concluded that copyright protection lasts too long.

In its example of the over-reach, the PC report said an author who wrote a book today might live for another 50 years, but their work would be protected until 2136.

“Continuing to reward someone after they're resting in peace doesn't make a lot of sense,” Ms Chester said.

The Commission also recommended “fair use” provisions in copyright law be re-vamped, as they are “too narrow and prescriptive”.

The commissioners found that the laws do not reflect the way people consume content in today’s heavily remixed, edited and reposted digital world.

The full report is available here.