WIPO Copyright Meeting Postponed To December

The meeting of the World Intellectual Property Organization Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) that was scheduled for late July has been postponed until December.

WIPO stated in an email:

“The 26th session of the Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights scheduled to take place from July 29 to August 2, 2013 is postponed. The session will take place from December 16 to 20, 2013.”

No official reason was given, but according to a source, the postponement originated from member states in meetings between the regional coordinators and the WIPO secretariat. Member states appear to have indicated a wish for more time to consider the committee agenda in the aftermath of the major treaty completed in late June. WIPO members concluded the treaty on copyright exceptions and limitations for the blind and other print-disabled in Marrakesh, Morocco (IPW, WIPO, 26 June 2013).

The July meeting was expected to focus on a proposed treaty on the rights of broadcasters, long in the making. Other possible copyright committee agenda items include limitations and exceptions for libraries, archives, research institutions and others.