Copyright in Canada: IFLA submits comments on the review of the Copyright Act
8 October 2018In light of the current review of Canada’s copyright law, IFLA has submitted comments in order to strengthen the voice of libraries in the process.
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Are We Ready for Extended Collective Licensing? Initial Data from IFLA Survey of Collecting Society Coverage
8 October 2018Extended collective licensing is increasingly proposed as a solution to problems faced by libraries in getting permissions to digitise and use large numbers of works. But it can only work if there are organisations in place to manage it. Draft data from an IFLA survey suggests that this is still far from being the case.
Working Together for Legislative Change: IFLA Engages at Global Congress on Intellectual Property and the Public Interest
24 September 2018IFLA will be present at this years’ Congress on Intellectual Property and the Public Interest, held in Washington D.C. from 24 to 30 September. It is one of the leading forums for advancing evidence-based, public-interest intellectual property policies, and so an important place for promoting the work and interests of libraries.
Licensing as a solution to rights management? IFLA publishes extended collective licensing background paper
7 August 2018Extended collective licensing (ECL) is promoted by some as a solution for libraries looking to obtain rights for use large quantities of books or other materials. But does it deliver? A new IFLA background report explores the characteristics of effective schemes, and suggests some lessons for others considering its introduction.
A Bright Future for Libraries in Australia’s Copyright Modernisation Review
5 July 2018Australia is looking at reviewing its Copyright Act of 1968 with the aim of bringing its copyright framework up to date with the digital world. IFLA submitted comments and welcomed the acknowledgement that an effective, efficient, accountable and especially adaptable system is needed.
Sunshine and Clouds: The European Parliament Takes Position on the Copyright Directive
21 June 2018Yesterday, the Legal affairs committee at the European Parliament (EP) voted on the copyright Directive. There is welcome confirmation of the value of exceptions to copyright as a guarantee of access to knowledge and use of information across borders. But a sting in the tail remains, with broad scope for obliging educators to pay for licences for all uses of works, and a backwards step on technological protection measures.
On Track or Off the Rails? IFLA publishes an update current status of transposition of the Marrakesh Directive in Europe
14 June 2018On the occasion of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 12-14 June, IFLA wishes to underline the positive progress that is taking place within the European Union towards transposition of Marrakesh Directive. The update shows where things stand (on 14 June) in the internal process of transposition of European law, looking at key aspects
Action for Libraries at the World Intellectual Property Organisation (SCCR/36)
7 June 2018IFLA was in Geneva from 28 May to 1 June to advocate for better exceptions and limitations to copyright for libraries. The occasion was the 36th meeting of the Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) at the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). The very good outcome for libraries would not have been possible without work of many IFLA members who urged their representatives to give a positive turn to the discussions at SCCR. We are happy to say that we achieved the goals we had for the week!
For World Intellectual Property Day 2018, get into WIPO!
24 April 2018IFLA celebrates World Intellectual Property Day 2018 with the release of the Get into WIPO guide.
IFLA sends comments to the Senate of the Republic of Colombia on the copyright reform
17 April 2018Colombia is now in the process of reforming its copyright law (Ley 23 de 1982). In view of this reform and of the debate at the Comisión Primera of the Honourable Senate of the Republic of Colombia, IFLA submitted written comments and suggestions for specific changes to the bill.
European copyright reform: where do we stand?
8 March 2018The European Union is in the process of reforming its copyright law. The reforms set out the ambitious goal of bringing the regime up to date with the digital age, with rules affecting libraries and cultural heritage institutions a key part of the dossier. Following the European Commission’s proposal of September 2016 discussions are taking place in the European institutions and are likely to continue at least until the summer of 2018. Continue reading to know more!
Librarians ask for a better copyright for education
16 January 2018IFLA has signed the joint letter "Educators ask for a better copyright", initiated by Communia Association for the Public Domain, which underlines our existing concerns with regards to the education exception of the European copyright reform.
Copyright reform in Colombia: IFLA sends an open letter to the Colombian Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism
19 December 2017IFLA welcomes all steps towards making legislative changes that adapt current copyright frameworks to the digital age. Colombia is now in the process of reforming its copyright law (Ley 23 de 1982). In light of this, IFLA’s president Glòria Pérez-Salmerón has sent an open letter to the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism.
The European copyright reform's potential harm to fundmental rights and freedoms: IFLA co-signs an open letter
30 November 2017Over 80 organisations, among which IFLA, have co-signed an open letter to Ministers attending the European Union’s Competitiveness Council on 30 November - 1 December 2017. The letter underlines, in only one sentence, the potentially irreparable damage that the European copyright reform could cause to Europe's fundamental rights and freedoms, economy and competitiveness, education and research, innovation and competition, creativity and culture, if the wrong decisions are taken.
Inaction is not an Option: Case Builds for Meaningful Action for Libraries at the World Intellectual Property Organisation
24 November 2017IFLA attended the 35th session of WIPO’s Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights to make the case for the need of a minimum standard of exceptions and limitations to copyright for libraries, archives and museums. While a minority of states continue to question the need for action, the majority remain convinced that effective, universal access to information requires progress at the international level.
IFLA represents libraries at the World Intellectual Property Organisation's Forty-Ninth General Assembly
2 October 2017From the 2nd to the 7th October, IFLA attends the World Intellectual Property Organisation’s (WIPO) Fifty-Seventh General Assembly at its headquarters, in Geneva. Libraries have been following the work at WIPO for many years, especially at the Standing Committee on Copyright and Related rights (SCCR), whose agenda currently focuses, among other topics, on exceptions and limitations for libraries and archives.
Copyright and Other Legal Matters at the World Library and Information Congress (WLIC)
16 August 2017The 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?
4 August 2017The 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
17 July 2017South 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
29 May 2017IFLA, 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.