[Commons-Law] Press release from the wipo

[k70 at mac.com]

Hi- I'm a long-time lurker ... Just saw this on a WSIS mailing list. May
interest you - to rip into :-) also has WIPO contact e-mail & ph numbers.

G
-----------------------



From: publicinf at wipo.int
Organization: WIPO
Reply-To: publicinf at wipo.int
Date: Tue, 22 Nov 2005 16:38:55 +0100 (CET)
To: pressinfo-en at lists.wipo.int
Subject: Press Release 430 : WIPO Member States Consider how to Facilitate
Access to Educational Materials

 
Press Release 430
Geneva, November 22, 2005


 
WIPO MEMBER STATES CONSIDER HOW TO FACILITATE ACCESS TO EDUCATIONAL
MATERIALS
 Member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
examined on Monday, the impact of the copyright system on the use of
protected works for educational purposes in both the analog and digital
environments, particularly in developing countries. The meeting took place
at the beginning of deliberations by the Standing Committee on Copyright and
Related Rights (SCCR) which is being held in Geneva from November 21 to 23,
2005. Copyright law, like other forms of intellectual property law,
recognizes that restrictions or limitations in the rights granted to authors
and holders of other related rights are justified in certain cases that do
not conflict with the normal exploitation of the protected material and do
not unreasonably prejudice the legitimate interests of the rightholders. In
relation to education, certain permitted uses are defined which remove
liability that would otherwise arise. Digital technology has revolutionized
the way in which creative works, including educational materials, are made,
delivered and used with important implications for copyright. The
information meeting provided an opportunity to examine the varying
perspectives of the different stakeholders and served as a forum for
delegates to discuss and exchange experiences on the opportunities and
challenges presented by the copyright system within the context of
education, especially within developing countries. "The digital environment
presents enormous opportunities and challenges in terms of delivering
educational materials in a sustainable manner, said Mrs. Rita Hayes, WIPO
Deputy Director General in charge of copyright issues. "Today’s meeting was
an excellent opportunity to look at the dissemination of teaching materials
through balanced and effective copyright systems that meet the needs of all
stakeholders; authors, publishers, libraries and educational services", she
added. The program included presentations from a group of high-level experts
from academia, libraries, collective management societies and the publishing
sectors. Presentations covered a range of issues, including, the challenges
facing educators and libraries particularly in developing countries; the
need to foster development of the indigenous publishing sector in developing
countries; the role of reproduction rights organizations; licensing
mechanisms, including alternative licensing systems (such as the creative
commons and open access models) to facilitate the flow of educational
materials in developing countries; and the national experiences of Chile and
Canada in devising copyright exceptions for education. Details of the
program are available at:
http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/details.jsp?meeting_id=9462
<http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/details.jsp?meeting_id=9462> .
Presentations and audiofiles will be available from http://www.wipo.int
<http://www.wipo.int>  in the near future. The SCCR will continue discussion
of other copyright related issues. The program and documents are available
at http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/details.jsp?meeting_id=9289
<http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/details.jsp?meeting_id=9289> . For further
information, please contact the Media Relations and Public Affairs Section
at WIPO: 
Tel: (+41 22) - 338 81 61 or 338 95 47
Fax: (+41 22) - 338 82 80
Email: publicinf at wipo.int <mailto:publicinf at wipo.int> .