Commonwealth of Learning Copyright Audit
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| Type: | Course Related Materials |
| Grade Level: | Post-secondary |
Abstract: To a significant extent, copyright law governs the production, dissemination and consumption of knowledge and culture. In an "information society" it is particularly important to ensure that the gates of learning are kept wide open. It is in this context that an examination of copyright law with respect to education becomes crucial. When performing an audit of copyright law, it is essential to keep in mind international treaty obligations: particularly, the Berne Convention, the Agreement on trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights -- which is consequent to membership at the World Trade Organisation, and more recent treaties such as the World Intellectual Property Organization's Copyright Treaty. Taken together, they define the international copyright regime. It is also essential to keep in mind that even from the perspective of the multifaceted international obligations that countries are subject to, there is yet great flexibility as to how copyright may be legislated, especially given national goals such as literacy and education. This last point is, unfortunately, not yet adequately known. The following copyright law checklist is an attempt at gaining a better understanding of not only how intellectual property affects education but also what countries have within their power to do, to increase access to education of quality at all levels.
