International Treaties and Trade Agreements

On April 23, 2010, the Library Copyright Alliance joined other organizations in a letter expressing concerns regarding a “Consolidated Text for Public Release,” issued by the countries negotiating the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA).

On April 19, 2010, the Library Copyright Alliance joined other organizations in voicing concerns over Article 2.2.2 of the proposed ACTA draft, which includes language mandating that ACTA parties allow for the award of statutory damages for copyright infringement as an alternative to actual damages.

On March 22, 2010, members of the Library Copyright Alliance joined other nonprofits in two letters expressing concerns over leaked comments and proposals related to ACTA negotiations, and asked for a public discussion on the document itself. Read Letter [PDF] Read LCA Concerns [PDF]

December 17, 2009, Janice Pilch, on behalf of the Library Copyright Alliance, submitted comments to the WIPO standing committee on copyright and related rights in regard to access for the visually impaired and other persons with disabilities.

On December 4, 2009, the Library Copyright Alliance (LCA) – a coalition made up of the American Library Association (ALA), the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), and the Association of of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) – joined the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), and the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA) in submitting reply comments to the Copyright Office...

On November 13, 2009, Library Copyright Alliance (LCA) – a coalition made up of the American Library Association (ALA), the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), and the Association of of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) – joined the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), and the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA) in submitting comments to the Copyright Office on the...

On October 15, 2009, Janice Pilch authored an issue brief on the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) – a proposed international agreement aimed at creating a stronger framework for global enforcement of intellectual property rights, with a scope covering counterfeit trademarked goods and infringing copyrighted works – and the concerns for libraries.

A proposed WIPO Treaty is aimed at providing a minimum standard for copyright laws internationally to ensure full and equal access to information for blind and other reading disabled persons. Copyright laws worldwide need to be changed to allow for full and equal access to copyrighted works. This means greater flexibility for creating affordable accessible works at the same time...

Libraries share a unique social responsibility for preservation of and access to the world’s intellectual heritage, they have an interest in promoting copyright laws that provide the broadest possible use of information for creativity, research and education. The Library Copyright Alliance (LCA) is working to address an increasing number of international legal and policy issues that affect libraries and the...

The Intergovernmental Committee (IGC) on Traditional Knowledge, Genetic Resources and Traditional Cultural Expressions/Folklore is another focal point of the World Intellectual Property Organization. The IGC is charged with studying the policy positions of legal management and protection of certain cultural works created by indigenous communities. Should copyright law (or something like it) be used to protect these works? How does...