The protection and promotion of copyright is one of IPA’s two main policy pillars.

The copyright framework is and always has been the foundation of the publishing industry.  Enforceable exclusive rights are fundamental to incentivize authors, publishers, and other copyright owners to create, invest in, and make available to the public original and valuable works of authorship. Through these works, publishers drive inspiration, entertainment, education, and significantly contribute to both local and global economies.

IPA is an active accredited observer at United Nations organisations, including WIPO and UNESCO, and closely monitors the work of WTO.

IPA supports its Members in a number of ways: for example, in court litigation as amicus curiae in major court cases; by monitoring and informing members about important copyright developments; by making submissions to national or regional reviews of copyright-related legislation or regulations; by coordinating advocacy interventions; through the organisation of tailor-made copyright workshops, webinars and awareness-raising initiatives on the most topical copyright issues for the publishing industry.

The IPA’s Copyright Committee consists of nominated delegates from IPA members. It meets regularly throughout the year as a platform for information exchange and strategic discussions. The Copyright Committee’s Copyright Policy Working Group is a specialized group focused on strategic global copyright policy coordination.

 

International Copyright Treaties

International treaties establish the foundations of copyright, determining the minimum protection to be granted to copyrighted works by national laws. Through the principle of national treatment, these treaties secure equal protection under these laws for works of national and foreign creators.

The main copyright treaties of relevance for publishers are:

  • Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, administered by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO);
  • TRIPS Agreement (Agreement on Trade-Related aspects of Intellectual Property Rights), administered by the World Trade Organisation (WTO);
  • WIPO-Administered Treaties;
  • Universal Copyright Convention, administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

 

Enforcement

Piracy, the unauthorized use of copyrighted works, is a key concern for publishers. Book piracy, whether in print or digital form, costs publishers around the world billions in revenue annually. Effective enforcement mechanisms are crucial to secure publishers investments and have been a priority in IPA’s advocacy interventions to support modernized and robust copyright laws & policies.

IPA provides a platform for information exchange, regularly organizing awareness raising initiatives on enforcement related issues.

 

International Organizations and Copyright:

Access international organizations’ databases of treaties and national laws on intellectual property, including copyright: