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Stay up to date with our latest developments, initiatives, and new resources!

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273 items

Inaction is not an Option: Case Builds for Meaningful Action for Libraries at the World Intellectual Property Organisation

24 November 2017

    IFLA 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.

    From: Advisory Committee on Copyright and other Legal Matters

    Open in order to... ensure universal and equitable access to information

    23 October 2017

      Once again, IFLA wishes to join the celebration for open access week. This year, we have gathered materials of some of the presentations about open access that took place during the World Library and Information Congress in August 2017 in Wroclaw, Poland. By approaching the topic from many different angles, they are an example of how libraries support open access and provide input on how to continue doing so.

      From: Advisory Committee on Copyright and other Legal Matters

      Getting It Right: At Second Marrakesh Assembly, IFLA Launches Guide to Implementing the Treaty in Europe

      5 October 2017

        Following agreement in the European Union on legislation to implement the Marrakesh Treaty, Member States now have a year to comply. By 11 October 2018, all 28 countries need to give people who are blind, have visual impairments or other print disabilities, as well as the institutions that serve them, the possibility to make and share accessible format copies of books. A new Guide makes recommendations on how best to do this.

        From: Advisory Committee on Copyright and other Legal Matters

        IFLA represents libraries at the World Intellectual Property Organisation's Forty-Ninth General Assembly

        2 October 2017

          From 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.

          From: Advisory Committee on Copyright and other Legal Matters

          IFLA responds to the OECD open government consultation

          12 September 2017

            Open Government includes practices that redraw the relationship between public officials and citizens so that both can benefit. IFLA, in its response to an OECD consultation, took the opportunity to reiterate the important role libraries play in the field. Libraries also have worked increasingly to create digital collections in order to maximize access, and make collections available to the public.

            From: Advisory Committee on Copyright and other Legal Matters

            Copyright and Other Legal Matters at the World Library and Information Congress (WLIC)

            16 August 2017

              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.

              From: Advisory Committee on Copyright and other Legal Matters

              Is Malawi’s accession to the Marrakesh Treaty effectively addressing the book famine?

              4 August 2017

                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.

                From: Advisory Committee on Copyright and other Legal Matters

                South Africa Can Lead the Way: IFLA Delivers Submission on Copyright Reform

                17 July 2017

                  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.

                  From: Advisory Committee on Copyright and other Legal Matters

                  In Copyright, Everyone’s Rights Must be Protected: IFLA calls for Reconsideration of W3C Decision on Extended Media Extensions

                  17 July 2017

                    Following the decision of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) to incorporate Extended Media Extensions in to the HTML Standard, IFLA has called for reconsideration. While recognising both the potential for technological protection measures to hinder infringing uses, as well as the additional simplicity offered by this solution, IFLA is concerned that it will become easier to apply such measures to digital content without also making it easier for libraries and their users to remove measures that prevent legitimate uses of works.

                    From: Advisory Committee on Copyright and other Legal Matters

                    Marrakesh Ratification in the European Union Has a Sting in the Tail

                    15 May 2017

                      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.

                      From: Advisory Committee on Copyright and other Legal Matters

                      IFLA advocates globally for a better legal framework for libraries at the 34th Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR)

                      9 May 2017

                        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.

                        From: Advisory Committee on Copyright and other Legal Matters

                        Libraries and Creative Commons: Realising the Potential to Achieve Shared Goals

                        2 May 2017

                          Human progress, innovation and creativity depends on being able to access, share and build on existing knowledge and ideas. Libraries have long been at the heart of delivering this. At the Creative Commons Global Summit, held in Toronto on 28-30 April 2017, IFLA discussed how libraries could work with open licensing to continue to achieve these objectives.

                          From: Advisory Committee on Copyright and other Legal Matters

                          World Intellectual Property Day, 26 April 2017 – Innovation, Improving Lives

                          26 April 2017

                            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.

                            From: Advisory Committee on Copyright and other Legal Matters

                            Unanimous Support for Access for the Print Disabled: European Parliament Committee Votes on Marrakesh Treaty Ratification

                            26 March 2017

                              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.

                              From: Advisory Committee on Copyright and other Legal Matters

                              Libraries Educate, Copyright Reform can Help

                              13 February 2017

                                Education is central to the work of libraries, from simply giving access to books to more formal courses on anything from literacy and language to computer skills, creative writing and other subjects. To facilitate this, libraries, schools and other institutions offering education need copyright rules that make it easy to create and use materials for teaching. IFLA, alongside 33 other organisations, has called on the EU to pass reforms that will set an example for this.

                                From: Advisory Committee on Copyright and other Legal Matters