During the WIPO negotiations on disabilities, the White House has told U.S. Blind groups it will kill a WIPO treaty on copyright exceptions for persons who are blind or have other disabilities if the treaty covers audiovisual works, including those used in education, including distance teaching programs.
I just read from these talking points at WIPO SCCR 25, where the topic under discuss is a proposed treaty for persons who are blind or have other disabilities. (See /r2r).
1. KEI is disappointed that deaf people are left out.
2. KEI is disappointed that there is a proposal to eliminate the article on contracts. We agree with the Library Copyright Alliance that contracts are now being used to undermine exceptions. The treaty should have provisions to make it clear that governments may override exception killing contracts.
On Wednesday, 21 November 2012, the plenary of the 25th Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) resumed at 10:30 AM. After the plenary, the an ambassador-level meeting of the African Group will be held. The informals are expected to take place between 2PM to 9PM.
The November 20th text is reproduced below:
United States Four Fair Use Factors and the WTO Three-Step Test
Copyright limitations and exceptions are important limits to the exclusive rights of the copyright holder, permitting use of copyrighted works without the right holder’s permission in certain cases. Under international law, some specific limitations and exceptions exist, such as those enumerated by the Berne Convention. Continue Reading
Obama v blind people, day one of SCCR 25 negotiations on WIPO copyright treaty for disabilities
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From left to right, USPTO Director David Kappos, President Obama, Pablo Lecuona of Tiflolibros and Melanie Brunson of the ACB European Union announces its mandate to negotiate a binding Treaty for the Blind
On 19 November 2012, the European Union announced to WIPO’s Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) that it now had the mandate to “negotiate the conclusion conclusion of an instrument including a binding treaty” for the blind.
EUROPEAN UNION
Statement by the European Union and its Member States 25th Session of WIPO Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights
Mr Chairman,
Intervention of African Group at WIPO copyright committee (SCCR25)
Egypt, on behalf of the African Group, delivered the following general intervention at the beginning of WIPO discussions at the 25th Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR). This was taken from the WIPO live stream of SCCR negotiations: http://www.streamtext.net/player?event=WIPO
WIPO Copyright Committee (SCCR 25) begins week of negotiations. Treaties for disabilities and broadcasting are focus
Maryanne Diamond and Chris Friend of the WBU listen to opening interventions at SCCR 25 Republican Study Committee report suggests copyright reforms, including shorter copyright terms and expanded fair use
Update: November 17, 2012, 10:27pm: The report was removed from the RSC website on Saturday afternoon.. Paul Teller, Executive Director of the RSC issued the following statement:
Mark Dybul emerges victorious in Global Fund leadership race defeating candidates from Canada, France and UK
It was a papal conclave save for the plume of white smoke. At 17h04 on Thursday, 15 November 2012, the board of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria announced that Dr Mark Dybul would be the organization’s next Executive Director following a process marked by opacity and secrecy that would do the Vatican proud. Dybul (former United States Global AIDS Coordinator) beat a field of three other candidates that included, Monique Barbut (France), Robert Greenhill (Canada) and Barbara Stocking (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland). Continue Reading