EIFL Looks Forward To An Exciting 2019 At WIPO

Teresa Hackett, EIFL Copyright and Libraries Programme Manager, attended the 37th meeting of the WIPO Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR), the global body that sets international copyright law and policy, that took place in Geneva from 26 – 30 November 2018. During a full week advocating for libraries, EIFL participated in discussions on copyright limitations and exceptions, gave presentations at two civil society organized events, and engaged with government delegates from EIFL partner countries on library issues.

At the last SCCR of 2018, the main focus for libraries was on activities in the WIPO action plan 2018-2019; civil society presented ideas for the upcoming regional seminars on limitations and exceptions, as well as views on how to fix the draft broadcast treaty.

Teresa Hackett at the WIPO SCCR meeting in May

New analysis on limitations and exceptions

Discussion on limitations and exceptions (L&Es) for libraries, archives and museums (LAMs), and on education and research focused on progress of activities in the action plan adopted by member states at the last session (SCCR/36/7).

One key activity in the action plan that concerns both sectors (LAMs and education and research) is the typology (or classification) that analyses L&Es to create a better understanding of the detail of provisions, and of what is currently possible in national law. In this way, policy choices can come to the fore.

Prof Kenneth Crews, who delivered the first edition of the WIPO study on L&Es for libraries and archives over a decade ago, presented a preliminary version of the analysis that is being undertaken together with Prof Daniel Seng, author of the WIPO study on L&Es for education and research. The typology draws on the Crews and Seng studies, presenting the data in a systematic way to help identify and establish building blocks for new law-making, either individually or collectively.

On museums, Dr Yaniv Benhamou presented a report on copyright practices and challenges of museums, based on interviews with 37 museums worldwide.

Towards regional seminars for LAMs and education

The LAMs and education and research communities are looking forward to a series of events that will take place in 2019. First, seminars on limitations and exceptions will be held in three regions – Latin-America, Africa and Asia-Pacific – in the first half of 2019 (locations and dates expected soon). Then an international conference will take place in Geneva, scheduled for 17-18 October 2019, just before SCCR/39.

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