The European Bureau of Library, Information and Documentation Associations (EBLIDA), and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), have welcomed the Communication of the European Commission towards a modern, more European copyright framework released December 9, 2015.
European cultural diversity, education and research is of primary importance to Europe's creative economy and needs to be supported by an up to date copyright framework that will keep pace with technological developments and support increased cross-border access to library and archive content. Further to EBLIDA's comment on the Digital Single Market Strategy, the organisation's support the EU Commission's objectives of making EU copyright rules fit for the digital age and of building a modern and more European copyright framework. Vice-President ANSIP's aim to widen people's access to cultural content online and Commissioner Oettinger's plan for further reform to make a copyright environment that is stimulating, fair, rewards investment in creativity and makes it easier for Europeans to access and use content legally will take Europe in the right direction for the digital environment.
Both EBLIDA and IFLA note that there are critical issues for libraries that are not expressly included in the current communication. The Association's will ensure that during this process to modernise EU copyright rules, the Commission also considers other issues that would benefit library and archive users, such as ensuring cross-border access by all citizens to information via libraries and archives, protecting statutory exceptions and limitations to copyright from being overridden and undermined by contractual clauses and introducing legislation to address the challenges of e-lending.
Both EBLIDA and IFLA look forward to working closely with the Commission to ensure library issues are fully considered with the full participation of the European library community.
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