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Libraries have a fundamental role to play in the development of democratic societies by enabling all members of the community to access global knowledge resources, ideas and opinions. Copyright law regulates the ownership, control and distribution of information and knowledge goods. Libraries enable people to find, access and use information and knowledge. Copyright is therefore a major concern to libraries because it governs the core business of libraries.
While libraries in developing and transitional countries are benefiting from access to new electronic resources licensed through the eIFL.net consortium, they are also affected by international policy making in copyright and trade agreements. Over recent years, observers have expressed concern that the digital copyright agenda is more focused on the needs of global industries such as those in the music, software and film sectors than that of the public interest and society at large. The result has been an international trend towards increased protection for rights owners at the expense of user, and harsher enforcement of copyright laws.
http://www.eifl.net/cps/sections/services/eifl-ip
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