The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), based in Geneva, is the United Nations agency responsible for copyright and other intellectual property matters. Established in 1967, its official mission is to lead the development of a balanced and effective international intellectual property (IP) system that enables innovation and creativity for the benefit of all.

IFLA has official observer status at WIPO, together with the International Council of Archives (ICA), the International Council of Museums (ICOM) and around 250 other non-governmental organisations. For libraries, WIPO is not only the primary focus of efforts to promote better copyright laws internationally, but also a potential partner in supporting the library field.

IFLA’s engagement at WIPO mainly focuses on its Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR). The SCCR currently examines questions of limitations and exceptions to copyright for libraries, archives, museums and education and research institutions. The SCCR is also the committee responsible of the adoption of the Marrakesh Treaty. IFLA has been attending SCCR meetings regularly since 2008.

IFLA has also engaged with WIPO’s Committee on Development and Intellectual Property (CDIP). The CDIP monitors and assesses the implementation of WIPO’s development agenda and undertakes further discussion on Intellectual Property and Development.

In this section you can find statements made by IFLA and other partner organisations during SCCR and CDIP meetings, and during the WIPO General Assemblies (GAs):

Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR):

38th Session: 1-5 April 2019

37th Session: 26-30 November 2018

For more information, read our report of the meeting.

36th Session: May 28 – June 1 2018

For more information, read our report of the meeting.

35th Session: 13-17 November, 2017

For more information, read our report of the meeting.

34th Session: 1-5 May 2017

Read our report of the meeting.

33rd Session: 14-18 November 2016

Read our report of the meeting.

32nd Session: 9 May – 13 May 2016

For more information, read our report of the meeting, and about the side event organised by IFLA.

31st Session: 7 – 11 December 2015

For more information, read our report of the meeting.

30th Session: 29 June – 3 July 2015 

For more information, read our newspiece ahead of the meeting.

29th Session: 8-12 December 2014 

28th Session: 30 June – 4 July 2014

27th Session: 28 April – 2 May 2014

For more information, read our report of the meeting.

26th Session: 16-20 December 2013

For more information, read our newspiece ahead of the meeting.

SCCR Special Session 2

For information, read our report about it.

25th Session: 19-23 November, 2012

For more information, read our report of the meeting and a newspiece on the first day.

24th Session: 16-25 July 2012

For more information, read our report of the meeting and our report of the first day.

23rd Session: 21 November – 2 December 2011

For more information, read the press release of the meeting, and news pieces about the second day of the meeting, the background document introduced by the Delegation of Brazil, the IFLA reception at WIPO, the meeting with the WIPO DG Francis Gurry, and the discussions on a legally binding instrument for accessible format books here, here and here. 

22nd Session: 15-24 June 2011

For more information, read our report of the meeting and our report on the IFLA reception at WIPO. 

21st Session: 8-12 November 2010

20th Session: 21-24 June 2010

19th Session: 14-18 December 2009

18th Session: 25-29 May 2009

17th Session: 3-7 November 2008

16th Session : 10-13 March 2008

Committee on Development and Intellectual Property (CDIP):

4th Session, Geneva, 14-15 April, 2005

3rd Session: April 27 – May 1, 2009

2nd Session: 7-11 July 2008

Related material:

Inter-sessional intergovernmental meeting on a development agenda for WIPO:

3rd Session, Geneva, July 20-22, 2005

2nd Session, Geneva, June 20-22, 2005

1st Session, Geneva, April 11-13, 2005

General Assemblies (GAs):

50th Session: 24 September – 2 October 2018

48th Session: 3-11 October 2016

For more information, read our report of the meeting.

47th Session: 5-14 October 2015

46th Session: 22-30 September 2014 

For more information, read our report of the meeting.

43rd Session: 23 September – 2 October 2013

Other WIPO meetings:

Diplomatic Conference for a Treaty to facilitate access to published works by visually impaired persons and persons with print disabilities, Marrakesh, 17 – 28 June 2013 

For more information, read our reports of the Diplomatic Conference: start of the Conference, first week and second week.