Library services and the market of intellectual property rights

Abstract

Public policies on libraries and copyright are aimed at fostering knowledge and protecting everyone’s freedom of expression. However, in the digital environment, copyright policies acquired a major role on library services resulting in severe constraints to their normal operation. While EU strategies in support of libraries are mainly based on incentives and non-binding recommendations, exclusive intellectual exploitation rights are very strictly regulated, with the result of preventing the natural spread of knowledge both at a national and international level. As a consequence of these policies, libraries today face complex negotiations to get licence agreements often inadequate to their mission.
The paper points out the major problems to be solved, and clarifies the reasons behind the reforms that have been proposed in WIPO and in the European Union in order to harmonize, expand and strengthen the limitations and exceptions to copyright: to promote access to cultural and creative content and foster the production of new knowledge.