[A2k] eIFL.net statement to IIM, 12 April

[Teresa Hackett (eIFL)]

STATEMENT OF eIFL.NET ON A DEVELOPMENT AGENDA FOR WIPO

INTER-SESSIONAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL MEETING ON A DEVELOPMENT AGENDA FOR WIPO

FIRST SESSION
GENEVA, April 11-13, 2005

Firstly, Mr Chairman, I would like to congratulate you on your election
to chair this meeting.

Electronic Information for Libraries is an international foundation
which advocates for the wide availability of electronic information for
libraries in developing countries and countries in transition. Our
global network embraces nearly 4,000 leading libraries serving millions
of users in 50 countries in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, former Soviet
Union and the Middle East. Our main area of interest is copyright and
related rights. As a member of the International Federation of Library
Associations, eIFL fully supports IFLA's intervention at this meeting.

Libraries empower citizens, facilitate good governance and the
development of societies by providing access to information, knowledge
and learning resources. Access to information is essential to education
and research and has a direct impact on economic growth and quality of life.

By increasing literacy rates and encouraging reading habits, libraries
are fostering the long-term development of a market for information
products, especially for local content industries. In the short term,
libraries are using their purchasing power to support and encourage
these industries. We believe this is the sensible, sustainable way to
foster creative intellectual activity.

WIPO strongly influences national copyright legislation and policies.
Decisions taken here in Geneva and advice given by the WIPO secretariat
impact directly on the provision of library services in developing
countries. These services are addressing basic educational needs,
providing access to learning resources, scientific and research
information, culture and entertainment, as well as much needed
information e.g. on health care & HIV/AIDS.

eIFL.net views with great concern the global trend often in favour  of a
narrow range of rightholders at the expense of society as a whole and in
particular developing countries. We believe that it is simply unfair
that developing countries are expected to adhere to very strict regimes
which developed countries did not have to, when they were in the
developing stage. These include:
-the upward harmonisation of the term of copyright protection resulting
in the reduction of the public domain on which opportunities for
learning and creativity depend;
-new layers of rights on digital information;
-technical protection measures that prevent users from availing of
lawful exceptions;
-non-negotiable licences that override fair use provisions;
-free trade agreements resulting in higher IP standards to which
developing countries must adhere if they wish to trade with richer nations.

Many developing countries are struggling with low literacy rates and
primary school enrollments. Entire university libraries are without
basic reference materials except for small collections of specialised
and out-of-date textbooks. Unbalanced and disproportionate copyright
laws further reduce or even block access to resources for students and
staff or impose unrealistic costs or high administrative burdens. This
balance must be restored through specific and targeted interventions.

We believe that the current "one size fits all" approach is unjust and
inequitable. The imposition of higher IP standards on developing
countries must cease until objective Impact Assessments can measure the
benefits and costs to education, development and society. As a UN
agency, WIPO must integrate the development dimension into its
mainstream activities and enable flexibilities suited to local
development priorities.

We agree that WIPO is not a core development agency but believe that as
the only UN agency specialising in IP, WIPO has a duty to promote
balanced and flexible IP protection systems in the best interests of all
its members, not just the wealthy ones.

We therefore welcome this opportunity to discuss a Development Agenda
for WIPO and thank all the countries who have contributed. We strongly
support the proposals of the fourteen countries of the Friends of
Development group in their submission for this meeting. We believe these
will re-align WIPO with other international organisations and will
promote its credibility with NGOs and other stakeholders working in
developing countries, thus leading to real and fruitful partnerships
between policy makers and civil society.

We particularly support the proposals regarding a more UN type approach
in governance issues, integrating development issues across the whole
norm setting procedures, the establishment of an independent evaluation
office, conducting Development Impact Assessments and technical
assistance that is transparent and balanced.

We truly hope that WIPO member states will take steps to adopt a
concrete and meaningful Development Agenda and we look forward to
participating in WIPO processes in a renewed spirit of co-operation and
mutual respect.

Thank you, Mr Chairman.

END

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--
Teresa Hackett
Project Manager, eIFL-IP
Email: teresa.hackett@eifl.net
Mobile: +353 87 625 3768
Web: www.eifl.net
Electronic Information for Libraries
in transition & developing countries
--




--
Teresa Hackett
Project Manager, eIFL-IP
Email: teresa.hackett@eifl.net
Mobile: +353 87 625 3768
Web: www.eifl.net
Electronic Information for Libraries
in transition & developing countries
--