The SCCR has seems to have finished its work on the text for a possible treaty on copyright exceptions for persons who are blind or have other disabilities, and earlier than expected. The new text distributed to delegates is 25 pages long (attached below), and includes several articles with no brackets. There are many differences to be resolved. The question is, will WIPO proceed with a diplomatic conference in 2013?

Update: (revised version here)

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Yesterday they finished work on the definition of a work. Audiovisual works and related rights are out, ebooks and audio books are in.

ARTICLE A - DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of these provisions

"work"

Attached below is the November 21, 2012 version of the "REVISED WORKING DOCUMENT ON AN INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENT ON LIMITATIONS AND EXCEPTIONS FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED PERSONS/PERSONS WITH PRINT DISABILITIES."

We are interested in hearing from people on any part of the text (mailto:james.love@keionline.org).

Note that on page 9 that the brackets have been removed on the definition of "authorized entity."

This was the first intervention delivered by the United States of America during last week's discussion at the 10th session of World Intellectual Property Organization's Committee on Development and Intellectual Property on the item of patent related flexibilities.

US intervention #1 on CDIP/10/11

• The United States would like to express its appreciation to the Secretariat for its preparation of the document CDIP/10/11. We have several comments on the patent-related flexibilities proposed to be studied at CDIP.

During the WIPO negotiations on disabilities, the White House has told U.S. Blind groups it will kill a WIPO treaty on copyright exceptions for persons who are blind or have other disabilities if the treaty covers audiovisual works, including those used in education, including distance teaching programs.

I just read from these talking points at WIPO SCCR 25, where the topic under discuss is a proposed treaty for persons who are blind or have other disabilities. (See http://keionline.org/r2r).

1. KEI is disappointed that deaf people are left out.

2. KEI is disappointed that there is a proposal to eliminate the article on contracts. We agree with the Library Copyright Alliance that contracts are now being used to undermine exceptions. The treaty should have provisions to make it clear that governments may override exception killing contracts.

On Wednesday, 21 November 2012, the plenary of the 25th Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) resumed at 10:30 AM. After the plenary, the an ambassador-level meeting of the African Group will be held. The informals are expected to take place between 2PM to 9PM.

The November 20th text is reproduced below:

Text agreed on November 20, 2012.

PREAMBLE

(Twelfth)

Copyright limitations and exceptions are important limits to the exclusive rights of the copyright holder, permitting use of copyrighted works without the right holder's permission in certain cases. Under international law, some specific limitations and exceptions exist, such as those enumerated by the Berne Convention.

On 19 November 2012, the European Union announced to WIPO's Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) that it now had the mandate to "negotiate the conclusion conclusion of an instrument including a binding treaty" for the blind.

Egypt, on behalf of the African Group, delivered the following general intervention at the beginning of WIPO discussions at the 25th Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR). This was taken from the WIPO live stream of SCCR negotiations: http://www.streamtext.net/player?event=WIPO

Update: November 17, 2012, 10:27pm: The report was removed from the RSC website on Saturday afternoon.. Paul Teller, Executive Director of the RSC issued the following statement:

It was a papal conclave save for the plume of white smoke. At 17h04 on Thursday, 15 November 2012, the board of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria announced that Dr Mark Dybul would be the organization's next Executive Director following a process marked by opacity and secrecy that would do the Vatican proud. Dybul (former United States Global AIDS Coordinator) beat a field of three other candidates that included, Monique Barbut (France), Robert Greenhill (Canada) and Barbara Stocking (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland).

On 12 November 2012, Ecuador issued a compulsory license on abacavir/lamivudine. (attached here) This follows the issuance of Ecuador's first compulsory license in 2009 on ritonavir/lopinavir.