EIFL Guide To The European Orphan Works Directive

By Kelly Burke for Intellectual Property Watch

A guide to key provisions and limitations of the European Union directive on permitted uses of orphan works – those whose creators cannot be found – has been published by the Electronic Information for Libraries (EIFL).

Directive 2012/28/EU (known as the Orphan Works Directive) sets out rules for the digitisation and online display of orphan works (IPW, European Policy, 13 September 2012). However, the objective was not fully realised, according to the EIFL, which says that libraries in European Union member states must wait until the review in 2015 to seek improvements for orphan works.

“The guide makes recommendations for libraries for implementation in EIFL partner countries that are members of the EU, and advises libraries in EIFL partner countries with EU bilateral agreements on crafting solutions that best meet their local circumstances and capacity,” according to EIFL.

EIFL is an international nonprofit organisation aiming to facilitate access “to knowledge for education, learning, research and sustainable community development through libraries in more than 60 developing and transition countries.”

The full text of the Directive can be read here. The complete EIFL guide is available here.