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Library and Archive Groups Delighted by Progress at WIPO
02 December 2011
Copyright
PRESS RELEASE
International Copyright Deliberations:
Library and Archive Groups Delighted by Progress on Copyright Limitations and Exceptions at WIPO
The Hague/Geneva: The 23rd session of the World Intellectual Property Organisation’s Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) ended on 2nd December 2011. The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), the International Council on Archives (ICA), Electronic Information for Libraries (EIFL), the Canadian Library Association (CLA), the German Library Association (dbv), the Libraries and Archives Copyright Alliance (LACA) and the Society of American Archivists (SAA) welcome the significant progress made by WIPO Member States towards achieving a global set of copyright limitations and exceptions for libraries and archives.
SCCR/23 concluded with agreement for further discussion on a list of topics relating to libraries and archives which includes preservation, right of reproduction and supply of copies, legal deposit, library lending, parallel importation, cross-border uses, orphan works, retracted and withdrawn works, liability of libraries and archives, technological measures of protection, and contracts. Member States have until the end of February 2012 to submit written comments to the WIPO Secretariat for inclusion in the document Provisional Working Document containing comments on and textual suggestions towards an appropriate international legal instrument (in whatever form) on exceptions and limitations for Libraries and Archives (SCCR/23/8 Prov), which will be discussed at SCCR/24 in 2012.
Library and archives groups have been advocating for an international treaty so that WIPO Member States establish a set of basic, minimum limitations and exceptions for the benefit of libraries, archives, and their users in their national copyright laws. Currently, libraries operate under a patchwork of provisions that differ from country to country that often do not meet the needs of libraries especially in the global, digital environment. For the first time, the WIPO SCCR, the main body that shapes international copyright law, dedicated three extra days to discussion of limitations and exceptions for libraries and archives.
“The way WIPO Member States have engaged with library and archives issues has been very encouraging indeed” said IFLA President Ingrid Parent. “We feel that real progress was made during the SCCR that we hope will lead to an international solution to benefit libraries and archives, and their users, everywhere.”
ICA President, Martin Berendse, and past SAA President, William Maher, were especially appreciative of the attention given to the issue of library and archives exceptions at WIPO: “I was very pleased at the focus on issues important to archivists, such as orphan works, that gave us an opportunity to explain the problems we are facing”, Berendse said. Maher added: “The issues of copying for preservation, especially born-digital materials, and research and educational use of orphan works have been of great concern to archives for the past decade. SCCR’s consideration of prospective provisions for library and archives exemptions augurs well for researchers, students, and the public worldwide.”
Rima Kupryte, EIFL Director further stressed: “This was a unique opportunity to present library and archives copyright issues, in particular for developing and transition countries, at the highest international level, to engage with WIPO Member States on substantive issues for libraries and archives, and to share our specialist knowledge and experience to enhance the debate.”
IFLA, ICA, CLA, dbv, LACA, EIFL and SAA were heartened by the full and thoughtful discussion by Member States that took place over the three days dedicated to libraries and archives and particularly thank the African Group, Brazil, Ecuador, the United States of America and Uruguay for their proposals. The library and archives organisations will continue working with WIPO Member States to gain support for a binding international instrument on copyright limitations and exceptions to enable libraries and archives to preserve their collections, support education and research, and lend materials.
Notes to editors:
The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) is the leading international body representing the interests of library and information services and their users. It is the global voice of the library and information profession. IFLA’s membership of around 1600 includes associations, organisations and individuals from over 150 countries worldwide.
Website: http://www.ifla.org
The International Council on Archives, founded in 1948, is the voice of archive professionals on the world stage. Its fundamental aim is to improve the preservation of, and access to, public and private archives in traditional and electronic formats. ICA has about 1400 institutional and individual members in 195 countries and territories. It advocates the importance of effective archives management as an indispensable prerequisite for democratic accountability, administrative transparency, and access to information by the citizen.
Websites: http://www.ica.org and http://new.ica.org
EIFL, Electronic Information for Libraries, is an international not-for-profit organisation based in Europe with a global network of partners. EIFL works in collaboration with libraries in more than 45 developing and transition countries in Africa, Asia and Europe, enabling access to knowledge for education, learning, research and sustainable community development.
Website: http://www.eifl.net
The Canadian Library Association/Association canadienne des bibliothèques (CLA) works to build the Canadian library and information community and the services it provides to society and acts as advocate and public voice, educator and network for a diverse membership of Canadian librarians.
Website: http://www.cla.ca
The Society of American Archivists (SAA) is North America's oldest and largest national archival professional association. SAA's mission is to serve the education and information needs of more than 6,000 individual and institutional members in 41 countries and to provide leadership to ensure the identification, preservation, and use of records of historical value.
Website: http://www2.archivists.org
The German Library Association (dbv) has been working over 60 years for libraries in Germany. The association has about 2,000 member libraries nationwide. Its concern is to make the impact of libraries in education and culture visible and strengthen their role in society.
Website: http://www.bibliotheksverband.de
The Libraries and Archives Copyright Alliance (LACA) is convened by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals. LACA unites the UK's major library and archive professional organisations and experts to advocate a fair and balanced copyright regime that delivers universally accessible information and knowledge services in the digital age.
Website: https://www.cilip.org.uk/laca
Contact:
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
Stuart Hamilton, Director Policy and Advocacy
+31 70 314 0884
Stuart.hamilton@ifla.org
