Answer given by Vice-President Ansip on behalf of the Commission

15.3.2017

The Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) is a committee of WIPO Member States' experts that meets biannually to discuss copyright related issues.

There are several issues on the agenda of the SCCR. The nature of the discussions varies. At this stage, discussions in the SCCR on the issue of limitations and exceptions for libraries, archives and museums remain at the level of an exchange of views and best practices.

The Commission does not have an authorisation to open negotiations on this issue and there is no consensus amongst the WIPO members as to the desirability to engage in such negotiations at this stage. If the current discussions were to turn into negotiations and the Commission received an authorisation from the Council to engage in them, the Commission will ensure full information of the European Parliament in accordance with the framework Agreement on relations between the European Parliament and the European Commission (OJ 2010, L 304/47).

The Commission is in contact with stakeholders on a regular basis, also prior to SCCR discussions, and coordinates with Member States, interventions at the SCCR in view of the fact that the current discussions consist of an exchange of national practices and taking into account that the definition and practical implementation of copyright exceptions in Member States may vary.

The Commission remains available to inform the European Parliament about progress in SCCR discussions on any matter, including on the issue of exceptions for libraries, archives and museums.