SCCR 39: KEI statement on copyright related to the digital environment

On Friday, 25 October 2019, Knowledge Ecology International delivered the following statement on copyright related to the digital environment.


Given the challenges of obtaining economic data, perhaps the SCCR could focus more on transparency.

1. Standards for transparency could be the subject of norm setting. This is not as far fetched as some might think. The WHO WHA enatacted a resolution on transparency on markets for medicines in 2019, with a coalition that was lead by Italy, Portugal, the United States, Brazil, South Africa, India and countries, north and south, leading the way.

2. Perhaps the Chief Economist could be asked to report on the economics research available on the impact of the digital platforms on the incomes of artists, and flows of incomes between countries, given the rise of telecom/streaming services.

3. Meta data, not only related to licensing and enforcement, but also plays a role in attribution and enjoying creative works. For streamed music, it is often very minimal as regards listeners.

4. Unfair contracts (with artists, and users) is an issue that has come up many times, by a diverse set of stakeholders. I would like to hear about unfair contacts relating to authors, actors and performers, at a future SCCR, to complement discussions of unfair contracts for libraries, which have already been discussed earlier.