News from Copyright Limitations and Exceptions
Copyright and Other Legal Matters at the World Library and Information Congress (WLIC)
The Copyright and Other Legal Matters (CLM) Strategic Programme represents the voice of the international library community in copyright and other legal concerns. CLM strongly advocates at the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), Geneva, for a minimum international standard of exceptions and limitations to copyright, alongside partner organisations. CLM is also active in issues relating to economic and legal barriers to the acquisition and use of library resources and effective library services, subscription and license agreements, legal issues relevant to broader access to knowledge, in particular online and a wide range of other legal matters of international significance to libraries and librarianship. At this years’ World Library and Information Congress (WLIC) in Wroclaw, Poland, CLM Committee members have organised several sessions.Is Malawi’s accession to the Marrakesh Treaty effectively addressing the book famine?
The Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled, adopted on June 27, 2013, has been implemented in 30 countries to date, among which Malawi. The country’s accession instrument has been recently deposited at WIPO, and the Treaty will be in force in the country in October 14, 2017.South Africa Can Lead the Way: IFLA Delivers Submission on Copyright Reform
South Africa is reforming its copyright framework, and the Copyright Amendment Bill takes an ambitious approach that could set a great example not only for neighbouring countries but also internationally. It contains some very positive provisions for libraries and cultural heritage institutions, such as the recognition of library e-lending, the supply of digital documents, the possibility to make collections available through secure computer networks, the limitation of liability and on the making available of out of commerce works.Open Letter to Ministers at the European Union's Competitiveness Council
IFLA, alongside 63 other civil society and trade associations has co-signed a letter to Ministers attending the European Union’s Competitiveness Council. This initiative seeks to urge decisionmakers to aim for a more ambitious copyright reform that responds to the needs of libraries and their users in Europe.Marrakesh Ratification in the European Union Has a Sting in the Tail
Progress towards ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty in the European Union has the potential to deliver significantly wider access to knowledge for people with print disabilities, both in Europe and around the world. But to achieve this, national legislation will need to avoid introducing unnecessary 'compensation' provisions which will only harm the institutions, such as libraries and charities, which are working to help.IFLA advocates globally for a better legal framework for libraries at the 34th Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR)
Through the Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR), the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) offers a platform for discussion among Member States and NGOs at a global level on intellectual property law and how to make it work better. SCCR is, among others, currently focusing on exceptions and limitations to copyright for libraries, archives and museums – the derogations from the exclusive rights of authors and publishers which allow libraries to do things such as preservation, reproduction or lending.World Intellectual Property Day, 26 April 2017 – Innovation, Improving Lives
Every year on 26 April, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) celebrates the World Intellectual Property Rights Day. This year in particular, WIPO explores how innovation and progress make lives better, and what more can be done to make sure new technologies reach the people who need them. They are also inviting ideas on the priorities for future innovation through Twitter under the hashtag #WorldIPDay.Unanimous Support for Access for the Print Disabled: European Parliament Committee Votes on Marrakesh Treaty Ratification
The European Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee sent out a strong signal to the European Union’s Member States last week by voting unanimously for laws which will ensure that people with print disabilities, and those that support them, are not faced with needless and harmful barriers to access to knowledge and culture.Support Builds for Libraries in Europe
At the European Parliament in Strasbourg (France) last week, library representatives and Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) discussed the path towards a copyright reform that will empower Europe's over 100M library users.IFLA Calls on European Parliament to Get Marrakesh Treaty Implementation Right
There is less than a month to go before a planned vote in the European Parliament on ratifying the Marrakesh Treaty. If this is done correctly, people with print disabilities could enjoy much wider access to knowledge and culture. IFLA continues to maintain the pressure for laws that let libraries maximise the impact of their work here.- 1 of 9
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