See the recording here.
When?
- Date: 12 April, 2024
- Time: 14:30 -16:00 CEST / 13:30-15:00 BST
What?
What do authors want from sustainable eBook markets? What’s the latest on the German government’s commitment to act on library access to eBooks? And what does an exciting new study on eBook lending in Spain say about libraries’ rights to lend eBooks? Join us for this Knowledge Rights 21 webinar to find out.
The Webinar
During this webinar, our speakers will discuss:
What authors want from sustainable eBook markets (Authors Alliance): Authors rely heavily on libraries both to reach current readers and to preserve their books so they are available to readers far into the future. The traditional print acquisition and lending model for libraries has achieved a level of balance that values both the economic interests of publishers and the needs of authors and readers. Yet with the emergence of ebooks, licensing models have upended that balance in a way that harms readers and the public while providing few benefits for authors.
New eBook research in Spain (FESABID): Even though the CJEU Vereniging Openbare Bibliotheken v. Stichting Leenrecht case brought libraries in the European Union closer to being able to lend digital copies of physical items, the Spanish government has taken no action to bring national law into line with this decision. Last year, with help from Knowledge Rights 21, the Spanish Library Association commissioned a study to evaluate the legality of controlled digital lending in Spain, and as a result encourage exploring eLending. This presentation will outline the findings of the study, conducted by Professor Raquel Xalabarder, and its recommendations.
Political developments in Germany (GFF): “We want a fair framework conditions for E-Lending in libraries“ is the one-line promise in the 2021-2025 coalition agreement of the German federal government. As a result, ministries in charge are currently trying to figure out what this could mean in terms of policy and law. More than two years into the legislative term, this presentation will look at the state of play and the things to come.
Why You Should Attend
This webinar is aimed at anyone with an interest in eBook markets and how copyright reform can help make them sustainable for all. Participants will come away with a better idea both of how authors want sustainable eBook markets to develop, as well as hear about recent eBook developments in Spain and Germany.
The speakers are:
- Dave Hansen – Executive Director, Authors Alliance
- Ariadna Matas – Policy Advisor, Europeana Foundation and Member of the Libraries and Copyright group at the Spanish Library Association (FESABID)
- Mathias Schindler – Knowledge Manager and investigative researcher, Gesellschaft für Freiheitsrechte e.V., Germany
Further Resources
- An eBook pledge for publishers
- A model eBook addendum
- KR21’s position paper on eBooks
- KR21’s video on eBooks
- FESABID’s report on controlled digital lending (CDL) in English or Spanish
18 March 2024
