COPYCENSE

“This groundbreaking study of the copyright laws of 11 developing countries reveals that public access to knowledge is being curtailed more than is necessary. This is because the laws are more protective of copyright holders than they need be.

“The report discloses that Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and Thailand have all expanded the scope of copyright protection beyond what is required by the international copyright treaties they have acceded to. In addition, they have not incorporated all the available limitations and exceptions that would have opened up access to knowledge.

“More insidious however, is the legislative advice being provided by multi-lateral agencies such as the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). WIPO’s advice to developing countries contained in its Draft Laws on Copyright and Related Rights does not take full advantage of all the flexibilities available under the various international copyright treaties.

Consumers International. Copyright and Access to Knowledge. Feb. 20, 2006.

CopyCense™: K. Matthew Dames on the intersection of business, law and technology. A business venture of Seso Digital LLC.