[A2k] eIFL/IFLA statement on African Group proposals PCDA1

[Teresa Hackett (eIFL)]

EIFL: Electronic Information for Libraries

IFLA: International Federation of Library Associations

Joint Statement with regard to the African Group Proposals

Provisional Committee on Proposals Related to a WIPO Development Agenda
Geneva, February 20-24, 2006

Electronic Information for Libraries represents leading academic,
research and public libraries in 50 developing and transition countries,
including many countries in Africa. This is a joint statement with IFLA,
the International Federation of Library Associations.

In the synopsis of the African Group dated February 2006, we have a
comment on Technical Assistance, paragraph two. This deals with the
issue of developing the capacity of national IP institutions. We would
like to show why this is extremely important.

eIFL and IFLA co-operate with the recently formed African Copyright and
Access to Information Alliance (ACAIA). At the conference launching the
Alliance last November, there were a number of officials and lawyers
from the region who were responsible for developing IP law in their
countries. We were surprised to learn that one LDC is considering
amending their copyright law to include TRIPS+ and other provisions
including the database right. They were unaware of recent rulings of the
European Court of Justice and that the European Commission had announced
that it would consult on future options, one of which is the withdrawal
of the database Directive itself.

Furthermore, at a recent pan-African workshop, eIFL learnt that a number
of governments are not consulting with the library community on changes
to copyright law.

 From what we can see on the WIPO website, training programmes appear
not to cover the need to identify and consult with the stakeholder
community. If WIPO=92s technical assistance is to have satisfactory
outcomes, training must specifically cover the issue of communication
and consultation with all stakeholders, including the library community,
and the importance of being up-to-date with global IP developments.

eIFL is building capacity within the library stakeholder community in
Africa. We need officials who are sensitised to library issues with whom
to conduct meaningful discussions.

Finally, as stated in the proposal of the Group of Friends of
Development (PCDA/1/5), the establishment of a WIPO development agenda
has become a global discussion. At the World Library Congress 2005 in
Oslo, more than 300 librarians from all over the world, including a
number from Africa, debated the role of WIPO and copyright-related
issues. The message was clear: the library mission is increasingly being
hampered by copyright law, which as we have illustrated is being
elaborated without reference to global developments and without
consultation with the full stakeholder community. Librarians, especially
in developing countries, are looking forward to concrete and practical
conclusions to these discussions.

Thank you, Mr Chairman.