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. Read More
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! Read 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. Read More
As part of the Bulgarian Presidency of the European Union, a seminar in Sofia, Bulgaria on 26 February 2018 will focus on the copyright challenges currently facing libraries across Europe and the world. Read More
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. Read More
Blockchain, highlighted in the 2016 Trend Report Update as a key emerging issue for libraries, has also increasingly grabbed popular attention. The rising value of BitCoin has been at the heart of this, but applications to banking, grant-making, and validation of academic papers have also been proposed. Read More
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. Read More
Theme "Video Games: Winning strategies for libraries" Read More
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. Read More
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. Read More