In a disagreement that split mainly along north-south lines, the WIPO Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) failed for the second time this year to reach agreement on the conclusions of the session, and also couldn’t agree on the all-important recommendations to WIPO’s General Assemblies that meet in September.

While some progress was made in the discussion on limitations and exceptions for libraries and archives in the digital environment, and India became the first country to ratify the Marrakesh Treaty, it was another disappointing end to the week.

"Why do we keep doing this to ourselves?" exclaimed one delegate as it became clear that the Committee was again not going to reach agreement.

Diplomats at the General Assemblies in September 2014 will have to try to resolve the impasse, and decide on the future work of SCCR.

To learn more about discussions on limitations and exceptions for libraries and archives at SCCR/28, please go here.