Happy New Year from C4C! Even as we look ahead at what promises to be a dynamic year for copyright policy in 2013 – major efforts include the expected revisiting of the EU Copyright Directive and the European Commission’s “Licensing Europe” stakeholder dialogue just now getting underway – it’s worth looking back at the success we’ve seen over the past 12 months.
Indeed, 2012 was an exceptional year for C4C in terms of building our profile and influence among European policymakers. Our major initiatives have been a blend of public statements, events and other outreach. These activities have sparked useful collaborations, like MEP Marietje Schaake’s hosting of our library events at the European Parliament in May and the support of both the National Library of the Czech Republic and the Ministry of Culture for our Prague event on Czech copyright review in December.
Other 2012 highlights include our January Trinity College Library Event Dublin to help shape discussions on the Irish Copyright Review; our November letter to European Commissioners reacting to Commissioner Michel Barnier’s pivotal copyright speech that month; and our February statement on the Proposed Orphan Works Directive, in which we argued for improved access to valuable historical, cultural and research materials.
These activities show how C4C is stressing central themes that run throughout the copyright debates. We noted the significant challenges around data and text mining, for instance, in both our Orphan Works Directive and Barnier statements. And we highlighted keys to effective policymaking at our Dublin event and in our statement on UK implementation of the Hargreaves Recommendations and our support for broad stakeholder involvement in the Licensing Europe dialogues.
We continue to grow our own member base as well, recently welcoming iCommons to our coalition while discussing membership possibilities with several other organizations. All this momentum will be useful as we pursue the busy work of promoting sensible copyright policy. Already in the works for 2013 are plans to lead a global coalition to produce best practices around copyright uses. So stay tuned, and stay involved with C4C!