eIFL-IP Draft Law on Copyright Including Model Exceptions and Limitations for Libraries and Consumers

The eIFL-IP Draft Law on Copyright is a practical guide to assist librarians, as well as their legal advisors and policy makers, when national laws are being updated. It contains provisions that support access to knowledge and the public interest of libraries and consumers.

The eIFL-IP Draft Law reflects contributions from international library and archive copyright experts, and amends and improves the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Draft Law On Copyright And Related Rights (version 2005), previously available online. It contains

• a coherent set of definitions and exceptions and limitations to copyright for libraries and consumers;

• basic, legal requirements for libraries serving the public interest, especially in developing and transition countries;

• covers free uses only i.e. free of charge and without the need to ask for permission from the rightsholder;

• applies fully to the digital environment. Contains important provisions for private copying purposes, educational activities in the electronic learning environment e.g. electronic course packs and virtual learning environments, inter-library document supply, orphan works and translations.

• each exception and limitation is accompanied by a short explanatory note.

We will soon make a html version available for easy browsing.

v.16 August 2009