Stay up to date with our latest developments, initiatives, and new resources!
#1Lib1Ref – one librarian, one reference – is the Wikimedia Foundation’s initiative to engage the collective knowledge of libraries to improve the quality and reliability of Wikipedia articles. At a time of worry about fake news, the need for broad access to reliable, fact-checked information – rather than censorship – has never been higher. IFLA encourages librarians around the world to take part.
Following the adoption of a copyright Bill in Mexico that is likely to harm freedom of expression and freedom of access to information, IFLA Secretary General urges decisionmakers to stop the process and follow all due consultations and assessment of impact.
IFLA celebrates World Intellectual Property Day 2018 with the release of the Get into WIPO guide.
Those who produce, preserve and share information are mobilizing through the Vox Scientia campaign. This initiative aims at raising awareness of the potential consequences of the text in its current form, and facilitates ways to take action and advocate for a better reform.
Libraries were front and centre at the Creative Commons Global Summit 2018, sharing both their commitment to openness and their skills in making this a reality. IFLA was there, engaging in discussions and promoting work on open access at the UN and other intergovernmental organisations.
Colombia 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.
IFLA has submitted initial comments on a draft document on best practices for collective management organisations produced by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). This initiative marks a welcome recognition that the legitimacy of the copyright system depends on the professionalism and good practice of all actors involved in it.
The Marrakesh Treaty, which aims to remove unnecessary copyright-related barriers to making and sharing accessible copies of books. To date, only two Arab-language countries have ratified this, meaning that most people in the region with print disabilities continue to struggle to access knowledge and literature. At a workshop in Dubai, organised by the Ministry of Economy of the United Arab Emirates, IFLA called for progress, both in legislation and on the ground.
There has been welcome news from the Unites States, where legislation designed to implement the Marrakesh Treaty has been introduced to Congress. Once this is voted, America will join the growing number of countries choosing to remove the unnecessary copyright-related barriers that have meant that people with print disabilities only have access to a small share of all publications.
The 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!
IFLA has joined with members from across Europe in signing the Sofia Declaration. This calls on European Union institutions and governments to recognise the importance of documentary heritage, pass forward-looking copyright reforms, and give libraries the support they need to fulfil their potential to support culture, cohesion and connectivity.
Last week, the Council of Ministers of the European Union, representing its Member States, voted to approve the ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty. This opens the way to the EU and its 28 Member States formally joining the Treaty in the summer, opening up many new possibilities for access to, and exchange of, books in accessible formats for people with print disabilities.
IFLA 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.
Libraries and the Bulgarian EU Presidency share the same goals – a stronger, more cohesive Europe, built on creativity, innovation and inclusion. Every day, libraries across the continent are working to give their users access to the information they need to learn and develop, the skills they need to get the best out of the Internet, and a connection to a rich cultural heritage. IFLA's open letter sets out how we can take this potential further still.
IFLA 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.
Like all aspects of government policy, copyright laws should serve to promote the long-term public interest. As the way in which people create and access information changes, copyright rules for libraries need to evolve to reflect this. IFLA, represented by Sue Warren (Gold Coast, Australia), underlined this message at a conference in Viet Nam, organised by the World Intellectual Property Organisation.
Around the world, libraries are at the heart of education institutions, giving access to the materials students and teachers need. Librarians from Cameroon attended a WIPO conference on 21-22 November in order to underline the need to support their institutions as part of a comprehensive development strategy.
When they signed the Marrakesh Treaty in 2013, the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organisation committed to removing legal barriers to access to books for people with print disabilities. They opened the way to dealing with a key cause of the book famine – the fact that barely 7% of published books were available in suitable formats. IFLA is working on a guide to ensure that libraries can make full use of the potential that the Treaty offers.
Over 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.
The work of libraries relies on the existence of a modern and complete set of exceptions and limitations to copyright. While national legislation is usually the responsibility of national parliaments and policy-makers, the influence of International trade deals – and Treaties – is significant. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) – currently under renegotiation – is no exception. Following a meeting in Washington, IFLA and other library organisations have endorsed a series of principles on balance in trade deals.