Author: Manon Ress

WIPO SCCR24: still on “definitions” behind closed doors

Posted on by Manon Ress

The WIPO SCCR 24 delegates are still meeting behind closed doors (no NGOS and no streaming nor recording). I heard they are still talking about the definitions (see below) and that the 5pm plenary is delayed. Yesterday and this morning we heard quite a bit about “works” and “authorized entity”. If they agreed on these maybe they are now arguing over the meaning of “reasonable price for developed countries” and “reasonable price for developing countries”

SCCR/23/7 ORIGINAL: English DATE: December 16, 2011

ARTICLE A DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of these provisions
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Quick Update on WIPO SCCR 24 Meeting on The treaty for People with Disabilities

Posted on by Manon Ress

Today is day 5 of the WIPO Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights which for over 2 years has been discussing the first ever treaty that would involved a limitation to copyright, in these case to benefit blind people as well as people with other disabilities. It is day 2 of plenary discussions regarding the treaty for people with disabilities.

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WIPO SCCR24 What is an “authorized entity” and what is the fight about?

Posted on by Manon Ress

Today the discussion on the definition of “authorized entity” has started. It is one of the important and technical issues that could make a treaty good or bad, useful or ineffective.

An “authorized entity” or AE is the institution that provides the works in accessible format to the people with visual impairments who are the beneficiaries of the future treaty. Depending on how broad or narrow or inclusive v. restrictive the definition gets to be by the end of the negotiation, access is conditioned.

Some of the questions this morning:

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The European Orphan Works Directive: a missed opportunity?

Posted on by Manon Ress

Earlier this month, the European Parliament and the European Commission released a new compromise text on orphan works.

The Compromise Text is available here:
http://register.consilium.europa.eu/pdf/en/12/st10/st10953.en12.pdf

KEI sees the text as a step backwards for access to knowledge. The proposed directive makes far too many compromises, is too limited in terms of the beneficiaries and uses of works, and creates complicated, burdensome and costly procedures and record keeping requirements.

Background on earlier EU consultations

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US Copyright Office 17 priorities

Posted on by Manon Ress

Register of Copyrights Maria A. Pallante has made public the “priorities and special projects” of the US Copyright Office from October 2011 to October 2013. The ambitious work plan sets 17 priorities in the areas of copyright policy and administrative practices, and 10 special projects “to improve the quality and efficiency of the U.S. Copyright Office’s services.”

The 16 page document is available here
Comments should be sent to registerofcopyrights@copyright.gov

Here’s a quick outline:

3 Studies

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“Ipr In Italy – American Voices Among Italian Elite,”cooperation and how to make them change their mind (cables)

Posted on by Manon Ress

Cable reference id: #09ROME1396

Subject Ipr In Italy – American Voices Among Italian Elite
Origin Embassy Rome (Italy)
Cable time Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:30 UTC
Classification UNCLASSIFIED
Source http://wikileaks.org/cable/2009/12/09ROME1396.html
History First published on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 02:34 UTC
Modified on Thu, 1 Sep 2011 23:24 UTC
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Comments 0 Comments
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KEI comments to UK Consultation on limitations and exceptions for persons with print disabilities under discussion at WIPO

Posted on by Manon Ress

The proposal for a WIPO treaty for persons who are blind or have other disabilities moved forward at the last SCCR meeting in June 2011, when a wide collection of high income and Latin American countries endorsed a joint paper that could serve as a basis for a diplomatic conference. The fact that Brazil, the US and the EU were among the countries endorsing the paper was very significant.

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