26 April 2013
International Authors Forum is Formally Incorporated
IAF is thrilled to announce its formal incorporation as a limited not-for-profit company. This means IAF can now formally accept membership applications. We welcome interest in joining from any organisation that represents authors anywhere.
IAF will hold its first General Meeting in Istanbul in October 2013. At this celebratory meeting IAF will welcome its first official members and start its real work, to give creators a global voice that ensures their work is valued and their copyright protected internationally, to sustain a world that can keep creating.
VENICE, Italy
18 April 2013
Preserve Venice as a City of Readers
Authors from all over the world are campaigning hard to save Venice's bookshops from closure, denying the city's native residents as well as its permanent international population of visitors and inhbitants an important cultural point of access. Authors have put together a manifesto to convince politicians that this literary aspect of the city's cultural heritage must be preserved, including their suggestions for a bookshop hub which would benefit the book industry, and authors, as well as providing the opportunity for other retailers and cultural contributors to enhance the city's cultural allure.
Support the campaign on twitter using #VeniceCityofReaders.
GENEVA, Switzerland
18 - 20 April 2013
WIPO SCCR on a Treaty to Enable Access to Copyright Content for Visually Impaired and Print Disabled
Maureen Duffy will attend this meeting in Geneva on behalf of the International Authors Forum where late stage negotiations are taking place to decide an international policy on enabling access to copyright content for the visually impaired and print disabled. The IAF takes the following position on the issue, but will be engaging with other rightholders in Geneva, working with them to achieve wording that protects rightholders, both sighted and unsighted, as well as the beneficiaries of the treaty who must clearly be provided for equally to the sighted population.
IAF's Position on Treaty for Limitations and Exceptions to Copyright for the Visually Impaired and Print Disabled
- Ultimately, it is authors’ work that is being considered in the treaty
- There are authors whose rights are involved, in all countries, not just in the developed world
- These include both sighted and unsighted authors
- Authors need a fair return if they are to continue to produce the work everyone wants to access
- Authors also want the widest possible audience for their work, including the 280 million plus people who are visually impaired
- Authors believe that advances in technology will greatly assist in finding solutions to the problems being discussed
- Authors look for a solution that is mutually satisfactory to all those involved, as soon as possible
To view the latest wording of the treaty as drafted follow this link.
ITALY
10 April 2013
Italian Communication Authority AGCOM to Announce Online Copyright Regulation
Adding to the speight of activity around the world to ensure copyright law is "fit for purpose" in today's digital world, AGCOM, the Italian Communication Authority, are at last to issue a draft regulation on copyright protection online. A public consultation will follow. This comes after difficulties and delays the authority have had in taking action to protect content on the internet, generating debate about their competency in the field of copyright.
However, with new members elected in June 2012 come new promises from the newly elected president Angelo Cardini about combatting piracy. Hopefully, the result will preserve copyright as the essential protection creators need to make them a living continue creating and protect them against their content being exploited for free online and elsewhere.
The news from Italy adds to the EU's latest activities aimed at modernising copyright, and Maria Pallante's recent announcement in the US of the need for what she calls "The Next Great Copyright Act".
US
20 March 2013
The Next Great Copyright Act?
On 20th March, head of the US Copyright Office, Maria Pallante, testified before congress to call for an update to US copyright law. It is essential that the integrity and vital protection that copyright law gives creators be maintained, but there are fears that it is under the threat of accusations that call copyright unnecessarily complex and outdated in an age where the movement of content is increasingly fast paced and hard to track. It is in this environment that a system which upholds the rights of authors to be recognised and paid for their work, to enable them to continue to create, be sustained and strengthened more than ever.
Pallante's full speech is available here.
To see comment from the Copyright Alliance, click here.
Germany
7 March 2013
German Draft Proposal for legislation on orphan and out-of-commerce works
IFRRO has reported on German proposals for legislation on orphan and out-of-commerce works publicised on 20 February.
The aim of the law revision is to implement Directive 2012/28/EU of 25 October 2012 on certain permitted uses for orphan works, and to introduce a collective management-based system for out-of-commerce works
For further information, please see IFRRO's report in full.
UK
Authors Protest against Threats to UK Libel Reform which pose an International Threat to Freedom of Speech
6 March 2013
Writers in the UK have published an open letter in the Guardian newspaper, calling British libel laws "not just a national disgrace, but an international concern." The letter states "the UN human rights committee singled the UK out for the impact of libel on freedom of expression" to the extent that "the USA has introduced legislation to protect its citizens from our libel courts". Law reform is underway which would go some way towards countering this international obstacle to freedom of expression, but authors are concerned that the benefit of such reform is being weakened.
The letter responds to proposed changes made to the defamation bill, which in its final stages before becoming law. These changed will stop the new law doing what writers are saying will effectively "stop corporations from bullying individuals into silence, put an end to trivial and vexatious claims, and introduce a long overdue public interest defence". It is vital that the law protects and enhances freedom of speech, so vital for the fluorishing of creativity and exchange of ideas throughout the world.
Read the full story here.
GENEVA, Switzerland
18 - 20 February 2013
World Intellectual Property Association (WIPO) Special Session on the Draft Treaty on Limitations and Exceptions for Visually Impaired Persons/Persons with Print Disabilities
Maureen Duffy, writer and long-term copyright campaigner, along with members of the International Authors Forum Secretariat Katie Webb and Barbara Hayes, attended the WIPO Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) between 18th and 20th February 2013.
This SCCR was held as a Special Session to continue ongoing negotiations of a Draft International Treaty on Limitations and Exceptions for Visually Impaired Persons/Persons with Print Disabilities.
Rightholders have a number of concerns with the current wording of the draft Treaty, and are working hard to ensure that those concerns are taken into consideration in the final wording.
The position of authors was represented at the Standing Committee as follows:
- Ultimately, it is authors’ work that is being considered in the treaty
- There are authors whose rights are involved, in all countries, not just in the developed world
- These include both sighted and unsighted authors
- Authors need a fair return if they are to continue to produce the work everyone wants to access
- Authors also want the widest possible audience for their work, including the 280 million plus people who are visually impaired
- Authors believe that advances in technology will greatly assist in finding solutions to the problems being discussed
- Authors look for a solution that is mutually satisfactory to all those involved, as soon as possible
International
World Book Day
7 March 2013
Thursday 7 March is World Book Day, which celebrates authors, illustrators, books and celebrates reading. It’s the biggest celebration of its kind, designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, and marked in over 100 countries all over the world.
Last year, its “Biggest Show on Earth” event was watched by half a million children from more than 75 countries, and organisers said that more than 550,000 have already registered this year, with more expected to sign up by Thursday.
World Book Day is an important testament to the value (both economic and non-economic) that authors bring to the younger part of the world's population.
France
French Publishers and Authors Agree on e-Rights, 'The Bookseller' reports
6 March 2013
French authors, represented by the French permanent writers council (Conseil Permanent des Ecrivains, CPE), which represents 17 authors’ associations, have reached an agreement with the French Publishers Association (Syndicat National de l’Edition, SNE) on electronic rights, the details of which will be released on 21st March by the French culture ministry.
This decision has been long awaited. The ministry said the agreement “not only lays down new principles for publishing books in electronic format, but changes in depth several essential provisions for printed books.” It added that it would soon present a draft bill to amend the French intellectual property code in order to take account of the accord.
Source: http://www.thebookseller.com/news/french-publishers-and-authors-agree-e-rights.html
United States
Copyright Alert System et up in US
6 March 2013
An alert system educating users on illegal downloading has been rolled out in the United States (US).
The six-strike system is the industry’s response to attempts in the US to take legislative action against online piracy. A ‘graduated response’, the scheme is aimed at people who continue to download even after being alerted about it. Once copyright infringement is detected by partnering company Mark Monitor, the consumer will be sent a letter from their ISP which will outline the broader consequences of illegal downloading for the entertainment industry and society generally.
The ‘six-strikes’ do not seek to criminalise consumers and are unlikely to lead to arrests or fines. Instead the matter will be addressed through the user’s relationship with the ISP, aiming to educate the consumer on responsible internet use.
Five Internet Service Providers (ISPs) collaborated to put the scheme together, which is also regulated by the Center for Copyright Information (CCI). A similar system was set up in France that has been linked to a gradual decrease in illegal music downloading.
BOLOGNA, Italy
26 March 2013
Mats Lindberg to speak on behalf of IAF at Bologna Book Fair
"The Bologna Children’s Book Fair is the most important international event dedicated to the children’s publishing and multimedia industry. In Bologna authors, illustrators, literary agents, licensors and licensees, packagers, distributors, printers, booksellers, and librarians meet to sell and buy copyright, find the very best of children’s publishing and multimedia production, generate and gather new contacts while strengthening professional relationships, discovering new business opportunities, discussing and debating the latest sector trends."
The Book Fair is held from 25th to 28th March in Bologna, and is this year celebrating its 50th birthday.
Mats will make his second appearance in Bologna on behalf of IAF, and will talk about the important work of the IAF and its future plans.
Europe
13 February 2013
Society for Audiovisual Authors (SAA) update creators with the latest action on Copyright being taken by the European Commission
A Licences for Europe stakeholder dialogue plenary was held on 4th February. This was a positive opportunity for stakeholders to have their say before legislative change to Copyright is implemented, whether or not the Commission decides to nip licenses in the bud.
See here for the SAA's full blog post.
United States
8 February 2013
National Writers Union Opposes Proposals to Legalise Copying and Use of "Orphan Works" without the Author's Permission
In response to an inquiry by the U.S. Copyright Office, the National Writers Union has filed comments opposing proposals to legalise copying and use of so-called "orphan works" without the permission of the writers or other creators of those works.
These comments are available on their Web site at:
http://www.nwubook.org/NWU-orphan-works-4FEB2013.pdf
United Kingdom
8 February 2013
UK Public Lending Right Payments bring International benefits to Authors
UK Public Lending Right (PLR) has today released its list of most-borrowed authors from UK public libraries, containing a high proportion of US authors which suggests a shift towards more international literary tastes by UK readers. The PLR data reveals that the number of US authors whose books are borrowed in the UK is higher than that of UK authors in the crime and thriller genre.
James Patterson, American author of thriller novels, topped the league tables overall, remaining the UK’s Most Borrowed Author for the 6th year running. “Only MC Beaton, Ian Rankin and Agatha Christie represent UK crime and thriller writers”, whereas 17 out of the Top 20 Most Borrowed Adult Fiction Titles were US-based. Follow this link for the full details of this headline-making competition between nations.
However, despite the influx of US crime and thriller writers to the top of the ranks, UK children’s writers appeared most frequently on the list of most-borrowed authors, comprising six of the top ten. Read PLR’s report and analysis of the PLR league tables here.
In 2013 UK PLR is also celebrating making payments to authors for the loan of their books for 30 years. At the same time it faces fundamental structural change in the face of public funding cuts. Read more about the PLR journey, and some siginificant statistics and milestones along the way, marking the passage of this positive and vital source of income for authors.
UK PLR is also a strong part of the International PLR Network. This network works with countries to implement PLR schemes, giving those countries’ authors an extra source of payment when their books are borrowed from libraries. International PLR also supports countries where PLR is already implemented by sharing the knowledge and experience of countries in the network whose PLR schemes are most efficient and effective.
European Commission
31 January 2013
Author Organisations share their views on the Reforms to Copyright Levies proposed by António Vitorino in his Recommendations to the European Commission
As part of the European Commission’s ongoing review of content in the digital age, António Vitorino, former European Commissioner for Justice, has released a report on private copying and reprography levies which has provoked a number of reactions from organisations representing authors. Mr Vitorino’s report is available here, and the Commission’s press release summarising the report, here.
Mr Vitorino recommends the separate treatment of repographic levies from private copying, arguing that levies should be maintained but that “increased reliance on licences and contractual agreements” are “the best way to ensure that right holders are properly remunerated for their creative efforts and investments.” (European Commission Press Release)
The Society of Audiovisual Authors (SAA) released a statement signed by several organisations on behalf of rightholders. It objects to Mr Vitorino’s suggestions and urges that the recommendations be reconsidered:
“In the event that the European Commission were to accept these recommendations, the result would i) have a negative effect on consumers; ii) damage the interests of rightholders (and thus damage the development of European culture); and iii) increase the complexity of licensing agreements.”
The SAA statement says that effectively, Mr Vitorino would replace private copying levies on equipment used for copying with licence-fees for copying itself, to eliminate the private copying exception and remunerate rightholders through the distribution of the licence-fee instead. This will leave negotiation for rightholder remuneration to the rightholders themselves. Potentially, this puts rightholders, including authors with limited bargaining power, at the disadvantage of having to negotiate with more powerful copy service providers.
The SAA’s full statement is available here.
However, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) suggest that this obstacle can be overcome by ensuring that, prior to the introduction of a licence-fee system, “a copyright contract law that allows journalists and creators to receive a fair share of licence revenues and an equal bargaining footing must be put in place”.
The IFJ’s statement is available here.
IFRRO has also released a statement with its reaction to Mr Vitorino’s recommendations.
BRUSSELS, Belgium
5 December 2012
European Commission agrees way Forward for Modernising Copyright in the Digital Economy
A discussion of the European Commission's approach to content in the digital economy took place today. The extent of the impact of these forthcoming changes on authors must be taken into account at all stages of future decision-making and action.
The petition calling for the Commission to Support Europe's Creators received over 16,000 signatories, providing an extremely encouraging force to ensure they do receive such attention. The International Authors Forum thanks its members for adding their names.
This letter was sent to President Barroso informing him of the petition's results.
Among the six issues for action identified where rapid progress was needed were cross-border portability of content, user-generated content, data- and text- mining, private copy levies, access to audiovisual works and cultural heritage.
The Commission stated they would "work for a modern copyright framework that guarantees effective recognition and remuneration of rights holders in order to provide sustainable incentives for creativity, cultural diversity and innovation...and contributes to combating illegal offers and piracy."
A structured stakeholder dialogue will be launched at the start of 2013.
IAF supports the Commission's acknowledgment of the need for stakeholder consultation, and urges the Commission to modernise copyright in a way that takes into account the rights of authors at all stages.
Click here to read the commission's memo of the discussion.
28 November 2012
Support Europe's Creators: Support Authors' Rights
The creator must be protected in today's world where the abundant access to content presents as many threats to creators' livelihoods as it does opportunities for them to optimise their audience.
To ensure creators have the voice they deserve in the decisions and actions being taken around copyright and authors' rights in the digital age please sign this petition to show your support.
An important meeting to review initiatives the Commission might adopt in the field of copyright is taking place on 5 December so if you can support this petition to protect the rights of creators and let the legislators hear your concerns, please sign it now.
GENEVA, Switzerland
21 - 23 November 2012
World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (25th Session)
Writer and copyright expert Maureen Duffy, and Owen Atkinson, member of the IAF Steering Committee, attended the WIPO SCCR as IAF representatives under IAF's newly accredited status as observer member of WIPO. As well as attending the main sessions, Maureen and Owen met David Uwemedimo, Director of the Creators and Performers Support Division at WIPO, to discuss IAF. The discussion centred around the topic of exceptions in the areas of visually impaired, education and libraries. As IAF makes progress it looks forward to working closely with WIPO.
The International Federation of Journalists also made a statement at this WIPO SCCR where they called for focus on protection of the rights of the individual creator. This need is stronger than ever in a digital environment that has given rise to more published creators, and a public who want to feel confident that a fair proportion of the money they spend on content is going to those who created it in the first place. The individual creator needs more bargaining power against large, powerful corporations when negotiating contracts to maintain independent journalism without exploiting the journalist. IFJ is in full support of a future instrument protecting the legitimate rights of broadcasters that does not dilute the focus of the Berne and other Conventions on protecting the individual. They also endorse WIPO's efforts to ensure the visually impaired can access creative works. View the full statement here.
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina
26 October 2012
International Authors Forum Open Meeting: The Challenge of Protecting Authors' Rights in the 21st Century
The International Authors Forum held an Open Meeting following the IFRRO World Congress in Buenos Aires on Friday, 26 October 2012. At the meeting were creators and creator representatives from Argentina, as well as international representatives. The speakers were Heikki Jokinen, a journalist from Finland representing the International Federation of Journalists, Sergio Vainman, Argentine TV screenwriter, representing Argentores and CISAC, and Nora Iniesta, Argentine visual artist representing SAVA, the Argentine Society of Visual Artists. The event was well attended and facilitated a passionate discussion of authors’ issues as well as a collective enthusiasm for a forum where authors can discuss issues affecting them in an international context.
Click here to read a full report and view the speeches given at the event.
Click here to view pictures of the event
IFRRO Authors' Gathering: Country Specific Updates
23 October 2012
There was a meeting of author representatives during the IFRRO meetings in Buenos Aires, as part of the IFRRO World Congress and Annual General Meeting 2012. The authors' rights situations as reported at this meeting are recorded on the 'Main Issues of Concern' page of the country concerned, as follows: Norway, United Kingdom, United States.
The minutes from the meeting are also available to download.
Public Lending Right (PLR): Country Specific Updates
16 October 2012
There are a number of updates regarding the current status of Public Lending Right in various parts of the world, which can be found on the 'Main issues of Concern' page of the individual countries concerned. These are Cyprus, Denmark, Ireland, Malta, Poland and the United Kingdom.
Creators welcome European Parliament call for end to buyout contracts
12 September 2012
The recommendations in the report prepared by French MEP Jean-Marie Cavada (EPP) have been adopted by the European Parliament. This is welcome news for creators and has received the congratulations of a number of European creator organisations including ECSA, EFJ, FERA, SAA and UNI MEI. It represents a step forward for the position of creators' rights in receiving fair contracts ands and proportional remuneration. IAF joins the above organisations in its congratulations and will continue to support them to ensure that the recommendations are taken on board by the European Parliament in its policy developments.
The press release containing more details and congratulating European Parliament on this move is available through this link.
IAF are World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Accredited
July 2012
IAF are happy to report the success of their application to receive official WIPO accreditation, approved the first day (July 16) of the current SCCR/24 session. IAF have been granted observer status meaning they will be invited to attend the Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) sessions in Geneva which discuss the development of international norms and standards in the area of copyright and related rights. Current issues include limitations and exceptions and the protection of broadcasting organisations.
A record of IAF's approval by WIPO can be found here.
GENEVA, Switzerland
July 2012
IAF Welcomed at WIPO SCCR in Geneva
Author of 31 published works and seasoned authors' rights campaigner Maureen Duffy attended the WIPO Conference in Geneva from 16 – 19 July 2012 to promote the IAF. She gave a speech about the International Authors’ Forum (IAF) at a side event organized by IFRRO on the issue of the proposed expansion of the educational exception to copyright, which if implemented could deprive creators of significant income, and to which authors are opposed.
Maureen’s speech about the IAF generated great interest and particular support from the European Commission representative at WIPO, Maria Martin-Prat, Head of Unit “Copyright”, Intellectual Property Directorate, Internal Market and Services DG. Ms Martin-Prat emphasized the airbrushing out of authors in recent years from the international fora of WIPO and stressed the need for the author's voice to be heard strongly once more.
The IAF provides the platform for such a re-emergence of authors into these fora. It will enable authors to be involved in the discussions and changes to authors’ rights and copyright - now more international issues than ever before - so vital to authors' livelihoods and their consequent ability to continue to contribute to progress and economic growth through their ideas and their works.
Read Maureen's speech here
EFJ Welcomes European Parliament's move to ban buy-out contracts
11 July 2012
The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), the largest organisation of journalists in Europe, has welcomed yesterday’s decision by the European Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education to propose a ban on buy-out contracts.
This decision is the result of a vote on a report on the on-line distribution of audiovisual works in the European Union drafted by French Euro-MP Jean Marie Cavada.
The report backs a series of provisions supporting authors, including the concept of an unwaivable right to remuneration for all forms of exploitation of their works. It also calls on EU Member States to ban buy-out contracts. These contracts, widely used in the media industry, allow for journalists’ authors’ rights to be assigned to audiovisual producers with no possibility to negotiate further use of their work in other media or on different formats.
“This report is a signal that talks over authors’ rights in the EU can no longer ignore the need to protect authors,” says Arne König, President of the EFJ. “Authors’ rights must be reinforced if the EU wants to sustain its creative works and support those behind it. Freedom of contract cannot be the rule when it is obvious that parties do not negotiate on an equal footing. This is the case for freelance journalists, for instance”.
The EFJ has launched a campaign on fair trade for creators to denounce unfair contractual practices in the creative sector. An online petition can be signed on
http://www.ifj.org/en/pages/efj-campaign-against-right-grabbing-contracts
The committee’s report will now be put for the full endorsement of the European Parliament at a plenary sitting in September. While the report itself will not introduce new legislation, it will add to the pressure on the European Commission to act to protect the intellectual property rights of journalists and other authors.
The EFJ is the European group of the International Federation of Journalists
The EFJ represents over 260,000 journalists in 30 countries
For more information contact the EFJ at +32 2 235.2200
BOLOGNA, Italy
19-21 March 2012
Bologna Children's Book Fair
Mats Lindberg represented the IAF at the Bologna Children's Book Fair. He met members of the Board of the European Illustrators Forum to discuss issues of cooperation, unfair contractual practices in Europe and how to fight them.
Membership of IFRRO, and closer cooperation in Europe and Globally between different authors' groups and repertoires were also on the agenda.
Mats gave a public presentation followed by a discussion of the International Authors' Forum.
Other organisations attending were the European Illustrators Forum and other Illustrators Organisations from around Europe as well as children's book publishers.
EUROPE
Fair Trade for Creators
IAF are supporting a petition against coercive contractual practises facing creators in Europe.
The petition supports authors being employed because of their professional qualifications, not on the basis of their willingness to assign more rights, or in worst case, waive all their rights, which impacts negatively not only on them but ultimately also on consumers.
NAIROBI, Kenya
3 - 4 May 2012
Conference: Enhancing the Culture of Reading and Books in the Digital Age
Read the report by Penny Grubb
Penny Grubb, chair of Authors Licensing and Collecting Society (UK) attended the conference as a representative of IAF.
The conference considered ways which libraries, writers, RROs, the collectives in the print and publishing sector can foster a culture of reading in the age of digital information and communication technologies.
The programme addressed traditional and innovative means of access to copyrighted works, including e-books, online licensing and emerging technical platforms. It also included discussion of international legal frameworks for protecting copyright and access to the written word for those whose access is limited by disability or geograhpic location.