The International Council on Archives (ICA) is delighted to announce the official launch of the WIPO Toolkit on Preservation, which took place on 2-3 September 2024, in Bogotá, Colombia. This significant event was held in collaboration with the National Directorate of Copyright in Colombia.
The WIPO Toolkit on Preservation provides invaluable guidance for copyright officials and cultural heritage professionals. It equips them with the knowledge to develop copyright law provisions that allow for the preservation of materials in archives, libraries, and museums through the use of modern digital technology. According to Jean Dryden, Representative to WIPO’s Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights,
“The Toolkit on Preservation offers a practical way to support WIPO Member States as they build or modernize their copyright laws to ensure preservation of their cultural heritage, particularly by using emerging technologies.”
This comprehensive toolkit is available in six languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish (listed at the end). Co-authored by prominent experts in the field—Kenneth Crews, Rina Pantalony, and David Sutton—it serves as a key resource for copyright and cultural heritage institutions worldwide.
Key Features of the Toolkit:
- Practical Guidance: Helps shape copyright laws to facilitate the preservation of culturally significant materials.
- Global Availability: Offered in multiple languages to ensure wide accessibility.
- Authored by Experts: Created by leaders in copyright and cultural heritage.
The toolkit is part of a broader initiative within WIPO’s Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR), where ICA has been an active participant since 2010. Along with the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) and the International Council of Museums (ICOM), the ICA contributed to the review of the toolkit drafts.
The 38-page document details key aspects of preservation programs, emphasizing the need for a copyright exception specifically designed for preservation. One of the toolkit’s major highlights is the focus on anticipatory preservation, which involves taking proactive measures to protect collections before damage occurs. This is particularly crucial in light of increasing threats such as climate-induced disasters like fires and floods.
While the toolkit offers detailed guidance on preservation copying, it does not yet address the legal framework for making these copies available for public use. However, the ICA is pleased to announce that work is already underway on a follow-up toolkit that will focus on access to preservation copies in cultural heritage institutions.
The WIPO Toolkit on Preservation represents a significant leap forward in advancing modern copyright exceptions tailored to the needs of archives, libraries, and museums, ensuring that valuable cultural heritage materials are preserved for future generations.
