Stay up to date with our latest developments, initiatives, and new resources!
Extended 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.
The World Intellectual Property Organisation’s annual General Assembly saw exciting announcements around the Marrakesh Treaty, welcome support for better laws for libraries, archives and museums, and an emphasis, from Member States, on the need for intellectual property laws to support development.
IFLA 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.
The annual general assembly of the World Intellectual Property Organisation – WIPO – offers a chance to take a strategic look at the Organisation’s work across the board. For IFLA, it is an opportunity to highlight the priorities of libraries, and make the connection with the broader objectives of WIPO, and the UN system as a whole.
In a vote on copyright today, Members of the European Parliament offered welcome support to libraries’ heritage work. However, disappointing decisions elsewhere mean that IFLA, its members and its partners will need to continue working towards a law that empowers libraries to help users share, create and innovate.
Following the launch of a guide to implementation of the Marrakesh Treaty and a statement on copyright literacy at the World Library and Information Congress, IFLA has continued to make the case for copyright that works for libraries. In the last two weeks, the focus has been on the operation of collective rights management and the EU’s copyright reforms.
Next Wednesday, all of the European Parliament’s 751 Members will have the opportunity to amend the draft Directive on copyright. In doing so, they will send a message to Europe’s citizens, teachers, creators and researchers. IFLA is urging them to make it a positive one.
The Marrakesh Treaty has already had a major impact on copyright legislation, removing legal barriers to making and sharing copies of books in accessible formats. But to ensure that people with print disabilities benefit from genuinely equal access, implementation is key. A new IFLA guide helps libraries take this final step, and make the promise of Marrakesh real.
In order to explain the concept of copyright literacy, its importance within the broader work of libraries and to make recommendations to key stakeholders, IFLA has published a statement on copyright education and copyright literacy.
Extended 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.
Progress towards ratification and implementation of the Marrakesh Treaty is accelerating around the world. With European Union legislation entering into force in 80 days, and welcome news from the United States, Japan, South Africa and elsewhere, the barriers to access to knowledge for people with print disabilities are falling.
The European Parliament today voted to reject the version of the draft Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market proposed by its Legal Affairs Committee. This decision will lead to a debate in September in plenary, with all 751 Members of the European Parliament able to propose amendments.
Australia 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.
IFLA is launching an important tool for librarians: the Net Neutrality Toolkit. It provides a definition of terms and an several online tools to assess whether your connection has been throttled and what to do about it. Also, the links to several important partners in the battle to maintain Net Neutrality are highlighted for your convenience.
Yesterday, 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 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
The Pan-European dialogue on Internet governance (EuroDIG) is an open platform for informal and inclusive discussions on public policy issues related to Internet Governance (IG). It was held in Tbilisi, Georgia on the 5th and 6th of June 2018. IFLA participated to the event and organized a workshop on Freedom of Expression.
IFLA 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!
UNESCO is preparing a Draft Recommendation on Open Educational Resources (OER), as the next step forwards in its work in the area. Given the strong role of libraries in many countries in promoting such works, as well as the contribution they can make to library objectives, IFLA has submitted written comments.
The 36th session of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) will focus on defining action plans on copyright provisions for libraries. With these, we hope to see the organisation move in the direction of concrete steps that will make a real difference for our institutions. As the organisation that gave the world the Marrakesh Treaty, WIPO is well placed to drive change that delivers sustainable development.