Susan Isiko Štrba – The Nineteenth Session of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) opened with an information meeting on limitations and exceptions (L&Es) to copyright and related rights for educational activities. Four experts presented their studies on: a) L&Es for education in Latin America and the Caribbean (Juan Carlos Monroy), b) L&Es for teaching in Africa (Joseph Fometeu), c) L&Es for educational purposes in the Arab countries (Victor Nabhan), and d) L&Es for educational activities in North America, Europe, Caucasus, Central Asia and Israel (Raquel Xalabarder). The study on L&Es for educational activities for Asia and Australia was not presented.
Archive for December, 2009
Commentary on the WIPO-SCCR Information Meeting on Limitations and Exceptions for Educational Activities
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009The U.S.A Stands up to be Counted on Improving Access for Visually Impaired Persons
Tuesday, December 15th, 2009Sisule F. Musungu - A key item at the on-going ninetenth Session of the WIPO Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) is a discussion on a proposed treaty for improving access for the blind, visually impaired and other reading disabled persons (hereinafter “TVI”). Naturally, the proposal by the World Blind Union, formally presented to SCCR by Brazil, Ecuador and Paraguay, has generated not only intense interest but also significant opposition from predictable quaters such as the US Chamber of Commerce. As a corollary, it has been believed that the United States government will oppose such a proposal. The statement of the United States at the SCCR on TVI, however, is a worth a read, because, as a student of international intellectual property (IP) policy-making I can argue that it will mark an important historical moment in the politics of intellectual property. It was not only an enlightened statement but a statement that demonstrated a level of leadership that needs to acknowledged.
Commentary on the WIPO Study on limitations and exceptions to copyright and related rights for the benefit of teaching in Africa
Sunday, December 13th, 2009Susan Isiko Štrba – The study on limitations and exceptions (L&E) for copyright and related rights for teaching in Africa to be discussed at the nineteenth Session of the Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) which will take place from 14 to 18 December 2009, is a valuable contribution as it summarizes the status of limitations and exceptions (L&E) for the benefit of teaching in over 30 African countries south of the Sahara. However, by focusing on teaching instead of educational activities and excluding L&E for research or private study jeopardizes the purpose of the study.
Arab Knowledge Report 2009: Towards Productive Intercommunication for Knowledge
Monday, December 7th, 2009Nagla Rizk – On 28 to 29 October 2009 I was in Dubai for the launch of the Arab Knowledge Report 2009 of which I am co-author. The report was originally written in Arabic, and was translated to English, released under the title: Arab Knowledge Report 2009: Towards Productive Intercommunication for Knowledge. The Report is published by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme. The Report authors are: Kamal Abdul Latif, Mouin Hamza, Nagla Rizk, Omar Bizri, Ramzi Salama, and the Report Coordinator is Ghaith Fariz.
The UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen
Monday, December 7th, 2009Sisule F. Musungu – The United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference is taking place in Copenhagen from Monday, 7th December 2009 to 18th December 2009. More than 15,000 delegates are expected to be in the city in the name of saving the planet. The amount of information and hype is dizzying! But what does all these mean, how much do we understand about what needs to be done at policy level? While the science is there, the challenge remains developing the right policies to address the challenge. During the period of the conference we will be blogging on the Ideas in Development on various issues under discussion and the policy implications. Within the IQsensato network there will also be various individuals on Twitter.
