IFLA President calls for action

In a statement to the WIPO Copyright Committee, Ingrid Parent, IFLA President, highlighted the importance of an updated copyright framework for libraries in the digital age.

Ingrid Parent stressed that for libraries to fulfill their public-interest mission they need adequate copyright limitations and exceptions to provide balance between the rights of users and creators of protected works. 

She emphasised: “Libraries and archives currently work under a patchwork of provisions that differ in scope and effect from country to country. These provisions increasingly fail to address the legal and policy challenges and opportunities of the global digital environment. Now more than ever, libraries need copyright frameworks that recognise the importance, needs, legitimate expectations and rights of libraries and their users in a digital age.”

She also welcomed the comments by many delegations recognising the important role of libraries and archives in implementing important public policy goals.

IFLA is working with WIPO Member States to gain support for a binding international instrument on copyright limitations and exceptions to enable libraries to preserve their collections, support education and research, and lend materials. To demonstrate what is needed, IFLA, together with the International Council on Archives (ICA), Electronic Information for Libraries (EIFL) and Corporación Innovarte, has produced a Treaty proposal to guide WIPO’s Member States in updating limitations and exceptions for libraries worldwide. 

The WIPO Copyright Committee meeting takes place from 21 November until 02 December in in Geneva, Switzerland. 184 Member States discuss copyright limitations and exceptions for libraries and archives and the visually impaired, as well as a treaty for broadcasting and for the protection of audiovisual performances.

Read the full statement »