Copyright Reform package postponed until after the Summer break
 

Meeting with Commission DG CONNECT on 22 March

In order to collect more information on the copyright reform package and have a better overview of the timeline and content proposed, EBLIDA Director met with representatives of DG CONNECT Copyright Unit.


The process in relation to the copyright reform package is broadly aligned with the content of Commission’s Communication Towards a modern, more European copyright framework from December, and the draft legislative proposal is expected to come only by the end of September 2016.
 
However, since it has become an highly sensitive issue, we need to keep a close eye on all the Commission’s actions and ensure that we are not going towards a modern, more restrictive European copyright framework that will be further delayed.

New Consultation from the EU Commission

Meanwhile, on 23^rd March, the European Commission DG CONNECT launched an additional Public consultation on the role of publishers in the copyright value chain and on the 'panorama exception.

This consultation is lasting from 23 March until 15 June and as highlighted on the EC website “it will serve to gather views in particular on the impact that granting an EU neighbouring right to publishers could have on the publishing sector, on citizens and creative industries and as to whether the need (or not) for intervention is different in the press as compared to other publishing sectors. The consultation will also serve to collect input for the Commission's analysis of the current legislative framework of the 'panorama exception”.
 
Despite information requested to the European Commission DG CONNECT, it is not yet clear whether this consultation will be included in the copyright reform package or not.
 
Nevertheless, EBLIDA is closely following-up on this issue and will keep EBLIDA members posted of further developments and recommendations.

Open Letter on Copyright Reform

For that very reason, and because EBLIDA together with many other organisations wants to ensure that the EU Commission will “(…) deliver an ambitious reform that is fit for purpose in the digital environment and that upholds and strengthens fundamental principles such as the limitation of intermediaries’ liability, rights of citizens to freedom of communication and access to knowledge”.

Indeed, “(…) we are concerned that these objectives could be seriously jeopardised if the rules on responsibility and liability of intermediaries are tightened. Amending the definition of the rights of “communication to the public” and of “making available” in the way advocated by certain rights holders would destroy the Internet as we know it”.
 
In conclusion, the letter states that “Our laws should allow companies to do business across the EU, give individuals the possibility to access and use cultural goods, enable researchers to collaborate across borders using the latest technologies and help creators make a living from their work and contribute to Europe’s rich cultural heritage”.

Find the complete text of the letter at: http://www.eblida.org/news/reforming-copyright-law.html

Meetings with Commission DG EAC on 21 and 23 March 2016

EBLIDA Director also met with representatives of three Units of the EU Commission Directorate General Education and Culture. The Unit for Cultural Diversity and Innovation, the Unit for Higher Education Unit, and the Unit for Creative Europe Programme.
Those meetings gave the opportunity to discuss copyright issues of course, as it is one element in the debate about cultural diversity and innovation, but also other topics such as the role of libraries in supporting higher education, or in welcoming refugees.

Demonstrating the libraries’ evolving role in the 21^st Century and providing facts figures and stories  about libraries is of interest to the staff of the Commission’s where demand for such information is high.
This was also a good opportunity to hear about call for application for projects under the Creative Europe Programme where libraries could fit in. More information will be delivered in the coming months, but below you can already see an interesting call in which you could take part.

Call for Proposals: Support to refugee Integration Projects (open until 28 April 2016 12.00 CET)

Since September, EBLIDA published information in relation to library projects helping refugees with their integration into European culture. We have a dedicated webpage that we kept updated when we were informed by libraries or library associations about actions undertaken on this topic. .

With the objective to support cultural, audio-visual and cross-sectorial projects that aim to facilitate the integration of refugees into European communities  by fostering respect and understanding for diversity, democratic values and citizenship, intercultural dialogue , tolerance and respect for other cultures the EU Commission launched on 09 March 2016 a call for proposal at the address below:
http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/creative-europe/news/call-for-proposal-support-refugee-integration-projects_en
 
Please note that the call is open until only 28 April 2016 12:00 (CET/CEST, Brussels time)
 
This project fits with the library’s missions and EBLIDA is encouraging all its members already dealing with refugee projects to respond to this specific call.
As far as we know, no library or library organisation has yet applied.
 

Council of Europe report The libraries and museums of Europe in times of change

Council of Europe’s Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media just released its report on
The libraries and museums of Europe in times of change under the supervision of the rapporteur Lady Diana Eccles, Member of the House of Lords, European Conservatives Group, United Kingdom.
 
The summary on COE website reads:

With the growing importance of the knowledge economy in Europe, libraries and museums act as a resource for human development and lifelong learning. They also provide safe and dynamic meeting places for the local community. In addition, they can be instrumental in creating jobs, attracting businesses and supporting the overall investment climate. In view of their cultural, social and economic importance, governments should protect libraries and museums for the benefit of future generations.
 
Notwithstanding the importance and relevance of the big libraries and museums, the report focuses on smaller public institutions which play a crucial role in their local community and are under pressure today to reduce their public service or even to close. Public funding in this sector should be regarded as an investment that can generate return in the form of social benefits and economic growth. Even in difficult economic circumstances, relationships between governments and cultural institutions should have a firm base in mutual understanding and trust. One of the principles underlying such trust is guaranteeing the institutions’ freedom to take strategic decisions, to define priorities and to choose how they operate, in order to adjust and develop in times of change.
 
The Council of Europe member States should develop strategic thinking at national level to reform, wherever necessary, the library and museum sectors. The process should pool wide expertise and consultation with a view to improving leadership and staffing, diversifying sources of funding to enable greater financial resilience, strengthening partnerships and networks and promoting the use of digital technology and creative media.
 
Download the full report here.

SPARC Europe's new strategy: Making Open the default

Following consultation of different stakeholders in 2015, Sparc Europe has created its strategy 2016-2020: Making Open the default.
 
The scope of SPARC Europe is to promote and work for “Open Scholarship in Europe.
This includes Open Access to Publications, Open Peer Review, Open Data, Open Educational Resources, as well as Research Evaluation, and Research Integrity” while its vision is “Driving to make more research accessible to all, and striving to make Open the default in Europe: For the academic community, education, industry, and for the society”.
 
Their goals are:

1. To support pan-European and national Open Scholarship agendas in the areas of Open Access to publications, Open Peer Review, Open Data, and OER, as well as research evaluation, and research integrity.
2. To provide leadership across Europe for Open Scholarship in the longer term leveraging strong contacts with policy makers and Europe’s research institutions across Europe.
3. To reinforce Open Scholarship work across Europe for a more unified approach through increased collaboration with organisations, projects, and initiatives such as the Open Science Policy Platform, EARMA, LIBER, EIFL, EuroCRIS, Science Europe, EUA, Knowledge Exchange and others by:
   - seeking synergies, and
   - acting as a connector, facilitator and broker to Open Scholarship organisations to create change.
4. To encourage new norms and practice for cultural change in academia in the area of scholarly communication – making Open the default.

Read the complete strategic plan here.

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