[A2k] CU& CI invitation to participate in an important consumer survey on IPR

[Manon Ress]

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Intellectual property rights are a consumer issue.  Participate in an
international survey to understand barriers to accessing knowledge
resources such as educational materials, software, films, and music.

Internationally, there are different laws, policies and frameworks
that guide the approach to consumer rights with regard to access to
knowledge.  The variety of approaches results in some instances that
supersede the interests of the end user, making information
unaffordable, unavailable, or difficult to use.  For example, where a
concept of fair use is absent or where digital rights management
technologies are applied in a way that impedes legitimate use.  This
reality makes intellectual property rights a consumer issue.

Consumers Union - publisher of Consumers Reports, and the over 220
member organizations of Consumers International (CI), believes that it
is in the interest of all consumers to have unhampered and inclusive
access to knowledge.  To this end, we are helping CI gather
information to pinpoint the barriers consumers face when they access
knowledge resources such as educational materials, software, films and
music.  By completing the six questions on the access barriers survey,
you can help us to understand how consumers view and interact with
copyrighted materials.  NOTE:  Because this survey is for an
international audience it assumes an active choice between use of a
copyrighted or =91pirated=92 work.

This is part of an international research and policy effort known as
Access to Knowledge (A2K) that encompasses intellectual property
rights and related communications policy issues.  These include
freedom of expression, security and privacy, accessibility, and
infrastructure issues such as broadband availability and wireless
access.  To learn more about this international effort visit the A2K
site.  Learn more about CU's work in this area at HearUsNow.org.

Elena Falcone
Information Services - Finding, Analyzing, and Managing Information
(914) 378 2265 // 101 Truman Avenue, Yonkers NY 10703
Consumers Union=AE Publisher of Consumer Reports=AE & SHOPSMART;)=AE
EXPERT =95 INDEPENDENT =95 NONPROFIT
NOTE: This email and any attachments is intended for internal use by
authorized CU employees only and should not be distributed to any
consultants or any other third parties without the express permission
of the Information Center. This email contains a link to or download
of a report obtained via contract with an external information
provider. Internal use may be restricted and external use, including
republication of any portion of the work, may be prohibited without
written permission from the information provider. If you have any
questions, contact the Information Center at x2261.




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