Policy recommendations on flexibilities in copyright laws. 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.
Copyright and Access to Knowledge 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 (i.e. the works to be protected
and the rights accorded to copyright owners) 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.