AARL

Publishers and librarians promote common principles on copyright in the electronic environment

The joint Steering Group of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and the International Publishers Association (IPA) is working to promote common principles on copyright in the electronic environment.

The joint Steering Group, co-chaired by Herman P Spruijt, member of the IPA Executive Committee, and Ingrid Parent, Member of the AFLA Governing Board has announced further progress on the following principles:

• While the fundamental principles underlying copyright protection in the print environment remain the same in the electronic environment (in this sense, 'digital is not different'), the Group recognises that the advent of new technologies has fundamentally changed methods of publication and dissemination as well as rights management (in this sense, 'digital is different').
• Bridging the digital divide is best achieved by government programmes increasing funding for the provision of books and other publications in libraries as well as for connecting end-users to the Internet, especially in developing countries and disadvantaged groups in developed nations.
• Exceptions and limitations to copyright in the public interest remain necessary in the electronic environment, in order to maintain an equitable balance between the rights of creators and distributors and the needs of users but the nature and extent of exceptions and limitations must be assessed by applying the three step test.
• Libraries are key players in ensuring long-term preservation archiving of electronic information, through appropriate arrangements with publishers. However, the conditions of access and other technical and policy issues require further discussion among stakeholders.