The African Copyright & Access to Knowledge (ACA2K) Project: an overview of national copyright environments and access to learning materials in 8 African countries, by Denise Rosemary Nicholson

1. The African Copyright & Access to Knowledge (ACA2K) Project: an overview of national copyright environments and access to learning materials in 8 African countriesDenise Rosemary NicholsonCopyright Services LibrarianUniversity of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburgand SA Representative - eIFL-IP [email protected]/eIFL Regional Workshop on ‘Benefits of Open access for Research Dissemination, Usage, Visibility and Impact’22-23 November 2010 – ASSAf , Pretoria

2. OverviewAccess to Information as a human rightBackground to ACA2K ProjectChoice of study countriesConceptual framework & methodologyKey research findingsRecommendationsConclusion

3. Access to Information & KnowledgeAccess to information – a basic human right - essential for human survival and development.

4. “Freedom, prosperity and the development of society depend on education, as well as on unrestricted access to knowledge, thought, culture and information.” (IFLA/FAIFE)

5. “Knowledge is not a commodity, and can never be one. Knowledge is the distillation of human endeavour, and it is the most profound collective good that there is". (A. Erwin, former Minister of Trade & Industry, South Africa)

6. “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. (Nelson Mandela) International Copyright TrendsCreatenew rights

7. Strengthen protection and enforcement

8. Shrinkthe public domain

9. Restrictaccess to knowledge

10. Erodeinformation-users’ rightsPromoting Balance & Access International Copyright Treaties (WIPO and WTO)Adelphi Charter (UK)- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adelphi_CharterGower’s Report on IP (UK) - www.ipo.gov.uk/policy/policy.../policy-issues-gowers.htmCopySouth Dossier – www.copysouth.orgWSIS Declaration of Principles - http://www.itu.int/wsis/docs/geneva/official/dop.htmlWorld Blind Union Proposed Treaty (TVI) -http://www.keionline.org/misc-docs/tvi/tvi_en.htmlUK Commission on IPR - www.iprcommission.org

11. Copyright in AfricaCopyright vs. collective ownershipRights-holders promote stricter copyrightLibrarians & educators excluded from legislative processStrict copyright laws restrict access & affect cross-border resource-sharingMain beneficiaries are developed countriesCopyright laws should be tailored

12. Some Regional A2K InitiativesAccess to Learning Materials for Southern Africa Conference, 2005SADC (Gaborone) and SCECSAL (Kampala) presentations, 2005African Copyright Forum, Kampala, Uganda, Nov. 2005 African Access to Knowledge Alliance, 2005 – Key partner in 2 projects:SARUA Open Access Leadership Summit, Botswana, 2007 - http://www.sarua.org/?q=content/open-access-leadership-summit-gaborone-botswana-20-21-november-2007 - ACA2K Project - www.aca2k.org

13. Background to ACA2K ProjectRestrictive copyright practices and regulations in developing countriesLack of access to Internet-based technologiesOut-dated paradigms for knowledge collection and disseminationLack of creative and effective government-supported enabling environments within higher education

14. ACA2K Project (2007-2010) African Access to Knowledge (AAKA), Wits Link Centre & various tertiary institutions formed research network in 2007Probing relationship between national copyright environments and A2K in African countries. Supported by IDRC (Canada) & Shuttleworth Foundation (SA) - Managed by Wits Link Centre Webpage: www.aca2k.org

15. ACA2K Project Context

16. ACA2K Study Countries8 Research Nodes: Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique, Senegal, South Africa and Uganda.

17. Conceptual Framework

18. MethodologyDoctrinal Research Component: Analysis of the country’s copyright statutes and regulations (audit tool), analysis of judicial and administrative decisions, case law (where applicable) Qualitative Research Component: Secondary literature (scholarly literature, govt. reports, etc) & Impact assessment interviews - standardised interview tools (intended or actual consequences, perceptions, interpretation, or lack thereof) ACA2K Methodology Guide: http://www.aca2k.org/attachments/083_ACA2K%20Methodology%20Guide-April%202008.pdfComparative Analysis across the 8 study countries

19. ACA2K Research FindingsStudy countries’ copyright laws compliant or exceed requirements of international treatiesLack of copyright awareness and enforcement The stricter the copyright law, the more the non-compliance.

20. ACA2K Research Findings (cont’d)Collective management - potential remedy – but has its own problems (costs; few agencies; pay for fair use/fair dealing; lack of transparency or accountability, etc.)Infringement is facilitating access to learning materials, not copyright

21. RecommendationsDisconnect between laws & practice must be narrowedEducational & library sectors must actively participate in legislative process More flexibility through appropriate limitations & exceptions will restore balance in copyright lawsParallel importation, compulsory licences & exceptions to TPMs are options Regulation of copyright in digital environment bears a special responsibility, e.g. in ICTs

22. Dissemination of ACA2K ResearchOutcome MappingInternational Stakeholders’ Meeting, Geneva 2009National Dialogue Workshops for all stakeholdersResearch reports, academic papers, blogsFinal Research Report published in OA book: ‘Access to knowledge in Africa: the role of copyright’ - http://www.idrc.ca/openebooks/490-1/

23. SolutionA BalancedInternational Frameworkthat enshrines ALLUsers’ Rights – andAppropriate National Copyright laws

24. Thank youDenise Rosemary [email protected] Copyright Informationhttp://web.wits.ac.za/Library/Services/COPYRIGHT.htmWits Copyright Portalhttp://web.wits.ac.za/Library/ResearchResources/SubjectPortals/Copyright+and+Related+Issues.htmWits Plagiarism Portalhttp://web.wits.ac.za/Library/ResearchResources/SubjectPortals/Plagiarism+Portal.htmCopyright Blogshttp://aca2k.org and http://kim.wits.ac.za

25. “Copyright & A2K Issues” free information serviceTopics covered: Copyright; Plagiarism; Open Access; Open Educational Resources; Traditional Knowledge; Digitization and Library issues; Conference alerts; useful websites; issues affecting access to knowledge for the sensory-disabled; SA legislation that affects access to information, etc. Subscribe at: http://lists.wits.ac.za/mailman/listinfo/copyrightanda2kinfoOr email [email protected] to subscribe you.

26. Other useful A2K resourcesAccess to Knowledge in the age of Intellectual Property - http://www.zonebooks.org/titles/KRIK_ASuch Other African A2K initiatives – see: http://www.bibalex.org/a2k/attachments/references/reffileu24bkg55ykqwgc55zysxzq45.pdf

27. http://yaleisp.org/publications/a2kresearch/Wits PortalsWits Copyright Portal http://web.wits.ac.za/Library/ResearchResources/SubjectPortals/Copyright+and+Related+Issues.htmWits Plagiarism Portalhttp://web.wits.ac.za/Library/ResearchResources/SubjectPortals/Plagiarism+Portal.htmWits Open Access, A2K & Scholarly Communication Portalhttp://web.wits.ac.za/Library/ResearchResources/SubjectPortals/Open+Access+A2K+and+Scholarly+Communication.htm

28. Some Resources on L & EsGuideline Document on Copyright Limitations and Exceptions - http://www.col.org/resources/knowServices/copyright/Pages/default.aspx/summary.htm

29. Copyright Limitations & Exceptions – Why they are important for access to knowledge -http://www.aca2k.org/index.php?option=com_idoblog&task=viewpost&id=79&Itemid=69

30. Exceptions and Limitations in copyright vital in South countries - http://www.twnside.org.sg/title2/intellectual_property/info.service/2008/twn.ipr.info.081102.htm

31. L & Es - http://www.cptech.org/ip/copyright/le.html

32. Copyright Limitations and Exceptions for Libraries - http://www.aallnet.org/aallwash/LCAPosition110308.pdf

33. Wits Copyright Portal - http://web.wits.ac.za/Library/ResearchResources/SubjectPortals/Copyright+and+Related+Issues.htmResources for African countriesDo Google search to find these:WIPO Development Agenda and related issuesArticle 27(1) of the Universal Declaration of Human RightsArticle 7 of the TRIPS Agreement on ObjectivesThe Doha Declaration on TRIPS and Public Health (2001)UK Commission on Intellectual Property Rights Report (2002)Geneva Declaration of Principles ( Paragraph 42) (2003)ICTSD/UNCTAD Policy Discussion Paper on IP and Development (2003) and its Resource Book on TRIPS and Development (2005)World Summit on the Information Society (2003 and 2005)Chile’s proposal on Exceptions and Limitations to WIPO’s Standing Committee on Copyright (2004)Commonwealth of Learning – Guidelines on copyright L & Es (2005)IFLA & eIFL position papers and their statements made at WIPOAccess to Knowledge (A2K) Movement (Yale University)Gowers’ Review of Intellectual Property (UK) (2006)International Right to Read Campaign (WBU)Proposed WBU Treaty for the Blind at WIPO

34. Useful Copyright HandbookseIFL Handbook on Copyright & Related Issues:http://www.eifl.net/cps/sections/docs/ip_docs/draft-law“Introducing Copyright – a plain language guide to copyright” (Commonwealth of Learning): http://www.col.org/resources/publications/monographs/Pages/Copyright.aspx

35. Tips for developing countries when reviewing copyright lawsSee: http://www.aca2k.org/index.php?option=com_idoblog&task=viewpost&id=229&Itemid=73&lang=en or www.aca2k.org (click on Blog)

36. International A2K initiativesIFLA – (1700 member organizations/150 countries) – www.ifla.orgeIFL.net - (member organizations in 50 developing/in-transition countries) - www.eifl.netEBLIDA (150 European library/archive associations, etc.)- www.eblida.orgCommonwealth of Learning – (53 Commonwealth countries)- www.col.orgConsumers International – www.consumersinternational.org

37. International A2K initiatives (cont’d)Transatlantic Consumers’ Dialogue (TACD) – www.tacd.orgKnowledge Ecology International - www.keionline.orgConsumer Project on Technology (CPTech) - www.cptech.orgA2K Global Social Movement (Yale University, USA) - http://research.yale.edu/isp/Copy South (Kent Law School, UK – www.copysouth.org

38. Regional A2K initiativesAfrican Copyright & Access to Knowledge (ACA2K) Project - www.aca2k.orgAccess to Learning Materials for Southern Africa Project – www.access.og.za (2005) (website now closed)African Access to Knowledge Alliance – Ugandan Chapter, 2005 - Continental Organization, 2007 (currently in partnership with ACA2K) http://www.col.org/SiteCollectionDocuments/Copyright_Alliance_article.pdfOpen Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA) – www.osisa.orgAfrican Digital Commons - www.commons-sense.orgSouthern African Regional Universities Association (SARUA) – www.sarua.orgPublishing and Alternative Licensing Model of Africa (PALM) - http://www.idrc.ca/ccaa/ev-117012-201-1-DO_TOPIC.htmlSADC-Centre for Distance Education - www.sardec.org.bw

39. South African A2K initiativesCreative Commons/iCommons (South Africa) - icommons.orgWits Link Centre - http://link.wits.ac.za/Library Association of SA (LIASA)/FAIFE – www.liasa.orgShuttleworth Foundation – www.shuttleworthfoundation.orgAfrican Virtual Open Initiatives and Resources (AVOIR) - http://avoir.uwc.ac.za/Sivulile Open Access Project - http://www.sivulile.org/CSIR research Space - http://researchspace.csir.co.za/dspace/Human Sciences Research Council (South Africa) - http://www.hsrc.ac.zaOA institutional repositories in tertiary institutions

40. SA National A2K initiatives SA Government – adopted Open Source policy - www.info.gov.za/view/DownloadFileAction?id=94490The National Research Foundation (NRF) – advocacy role re: OA National Electronic Theses & Dissertations Repository - www.nrf.ac.zaAcademy of Science of South Africa - SCIELO-South Africa OA publishing project - www.assaf.co.za

41. eIFL Model Copyright LawSee: http://www.eifl.net/news/eifl-ip-draft-copyright-law-available-online

The African Copyright & Access to Knowledge (ACA2K) Project: an overview of national copyright environments and access to learning materials in 8 African countries, by Denise Rosemary Nicholson

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