IFLA has joined with partners in signing a call for World Trade Organisation Members to make it clear that where intellectual property rights make it more difficult to tackle COVID-19 and its consequences, governments should be able to take steps to enable use of protected works. Read More
IFLA has lent its support to efforts to ensure that least developed countries continue to enjoy greater flexibilities and lower administrative requirements in implementing trade deals. Retaining these possibilities will support investment, and more favourable laws, for education and research, and the libraries that support them. Read More
Despite political criticisms, trade-based globalisation is an unavoidable part of modern economies and society. As countries have sought to facilitate exchanges of goods and services, they have signed deals that have far reaching effects on national legislation. IFLA held a panel at this year's WTO Public Forum to explore the impacts on libraries, and whether recent trends give grounds for optimism or pessimism. Read More
Exceptions and limitations have been a key part of the international copyright system since its inception, protecting and promoting the goals of education and innovation. Increasingly, they are shaped by the text of trade deals. What impact will this have for access to knowledge, and the institutions that promote this? IFLA is organising a panel discussion at the WTO Public Forum on 28 September to find out. Read More
Under the theme Inclusive Trade, the World Trade Organization Public Forum will be an opportunity to discuss how a wider range of individuals and businesses can participate in the trading system and how WTO rules can help to ensure everyone benefits from trade. At… Read More
by Paul Whitney, CLM representative français Introduction The future of libraries of all kinds could be jeopardized by a series of international trade treaties that are currently being negotiated. The next important meeting discussing these trade agreements is the World Trade Organization… Read More
中文 Introduction The World Trade Organization (WTO), with a growing membership of over 140 countries, oversees a variety of treaties governing international trade. The WTO treaties with the most significant implications for libraries and the information sector are the General Agreement on Trade in Services… Read More
IFLA positions with regard to the World Trade Organization: The IFLA Position on The World Trade Organization (2001) The IFLA Position on WTO Treaty Negotiations (2001)… Read More