![\"The](\"https:\/\/blogs.ifla.org\/lpa\/files\/2019\/07\/WrongTarget.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Copyright reforms introducing or updating exceptions and limitations to copyright can easily become a lightning rod.<\/p>\n
Recent examples have regularly seen apocalyptic claims about the collapse of the book chain \u2013 understood as all those involved in writing, editing, publishing, distributing and reading books \u2013 and the demise of creativity in general.<\/p>\n
In a sector marked by concern about falling author incomes (despite overall growth in the sector), fears for the future sustainability of the publishing industry, and worry about the role of major internet platforms, it is understandable that there is a desire to take action.<\/p>\n
It is true that policy reforms seem to allow this, given the possibility to engage politicians, make statements and get involved in the media debate. Many have done this, claiming that by preventing libraries from enjoying new rights, it is possible to secure the future.<\/p>\n
However, just because it is possible to take a position , it does not mean that it is sensible or correct to do so.<\/p>\n
This blog explains how in the short term, modern copyright exceptions and limitations for libraries do not pose a threat to the future of the book chain. Instead, it argues, a healthy library sector, enabled by such exceptions and limitations, is a key guarantor of future success and viability.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A Complex Challenge Deserves Better Than a Simplistic Response<\/strong><\/p>\n A number of questions are at play in determining the health of the book chain.<\/p>\n Effective cultural policies supporting new and diverse voices, competition policies to prevent individual actors (such as Internet platforms) taking too powerful a position, and regulation of contracts between authors and publishers are all important. Other regulations, such around book pricing or taxation, as well as copyright enforcement, can also play a role.<\/p>\n There are also factors beyond policy \u2013 a shift to digital and the ability (or inability) of the sector to keep up, growing competition for readers\u2019 attention, and changing trends in education and research.<\/p>\n In effect, the challenges and questions facing the book chain are multiple, as are the tools for responding to them. A short-sighted focus only on stopping copyright reforms is highly limiting, and will do nothing to increase authors\u2019 shares of revenue from their works, provide targeted support for new voices, or address the dominance of digital platforms.<\/p>\n This has not stopped some from trying to argue that modern copyright rules will mean disaster. However, each time there has been a truly comprehensive effort to look at the evidence recently, this argument has been rejected.<\/p>\n In Canada, for example, where the Parliament\u2019s Industry, Science and Technology Committee held a thorough review of the country\u2019s 2012 copyright reform. However, despite intense calls for one particular reform (the extension of educational fair dealing, confirming decisions already made by the courts) to be repealed, it rejected<\/a> the claims made:<\/p>\n “Despite the volume and diversity of evidence submitted throughout the review, the Committee observed a problematic lack of authoritative and impartial data and analysis on major issues. Multiple witnesses either overestimated how strongly the data they presented supported their arguments or failed to disclose its limitations”.<\/em><\/p>\n Similarly in Australia, the Productivity Commission, charged with making an independent assessment of the impact of different policy actions, found very little evidence to back up claims that fair use would cause any unjustifiable harm to the publishing industry.<\/p>\n