THE WORLD AND COPYRIGHT; COPYRIGHT WORLD

According to a press release from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) yesterday:

Member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) examined ... 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.

This is so sweet, the IPKat thinks. If WIPO wants to make more information available for educational purposes in a digital environment, he hopes it will give Google a phone call and encourage its activities in making as many works as possible available to its users through the Google Library Project.

Copyright World

The cover story of the November 2005 issue of Copyright World is an account by Nigel Stoate and Camilla Smith of Taylor Wessing of the spare parts market for cars in the light of proposals for a harmonised European approach to the subject (elderly readers will remember what a live this issue this was in the 1980s and 1990s, when the UK still had a motor industry ...). Other features include articles by

* John Halton (Cripps Harries Hall) on the legal and policy issues arising from the use of technology protection measures;

* Alexandra van Beelen (DLA SchutGrosheide) on Dutch, Austrian and German decisions relating to the disclosure by Internet Service Providers of information concerning the identity of their subscribers and

* Stephen King (Payne Hicks Beach) considers the decision of Mr Jutice Lindsay to appoint himself as a special examiner in order to visit Cuba to take evidence in the somewhat protracted "Buena Vista Social Club" copyright dispute.