Scoping Study on Copyright and Related Rights and the Public Domain

May 7, 2010

The Thematic Project on Intellectual Property and the Public Domain, dealing with the Development Agenda Recommendations 16 and 20 (document CDIP/4/3 Rev) includes inter alia the preparation of a “Scoping Study on Copyright and Related Rights and the Public Domain” (Activity 1.3). The Study has been completed and is available in the six official languages of WIPO.

During the sixth session of the CDIP held from November 22 to 26, 2010, the author of the Study, Professor Severine Dusollier, Professor of Law of the University of Namur and Director of the Research Center in IT and Law (CRID), presented her work before the Committee. Her presentation is available as additional reference material.

The scoping study includes an illustrative comparison of national legislations that directly, or indirectly, define the public domain; and a survey of initiatives and tools, which may affect access, use, identification and location of public domain material.

The scoping study has the objective of providing assistance to Member States by raising awareness of this increasingly important issue. Moreover, the Study produces essential information for the evaluation of the possible benefits of a “rich and accessible” Public Domain.

Member States and observers to the CDIP are invited to provide their comments on this Study.