Shaheed (2014)
Contents
Source Details
| Shaheed (2014) | |
| Title: | Copyright Policy and the Right to Science and Culture |
| Author(s): | Shaheed, F. |
| Year: | 2014 |
| Citation: | Shaheed, F., Copyright Policy and the Right to Science and Culture, Human Rights Council, U.N. General Assembly (A/HRC/28/57(2014)). |
| Link(s): | Definitive , Open Access |
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| About the Data | |
| Data Description: | The Special Rapporteur organized an open consultation on 6 June 2014 to elicit the views of States and other stakeholders on the impact of intellectual property regimes on the enjoyment of the right to science and culture. She also convened experts’ meetings on 10 and 11 June 2014 in Geneva, Switzerland, and 28 October 2014 at New York University, United States of America. Numerous contributions were also received from States and stakeholders and are available online. |
| Data Type: | Primary data |
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| Cross Country Study?: | Yes |
| Comparative Study?: | Yes |
| Literature review?: | No |
| Government or policy study?: | No |
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Abstract
The Special Rapporteur has decided to devote her next thematic study to the issue of the impact of intellectual property regimes on the enjoyment of right to science and culture, as enshrined in particular in article 15 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Her findings will be presented in two consecutive reports, to the Human Rights Council (March 2015) and to the United Nations General Assembly (October 2015).
More precisely, she intends to address the impact of intellectual property regimes on the right of people to enjoy and access cultural heritage; access by everyone without discrimination to the benefits of science and its applications, including scientific knowledge, technology, and opportunities to contribute to the scientific enterprise; the freedom indispensable for scientific research, including access of researchers to scientific information and advances, as well as collaborative work; artistic freedoms and the right of people to access, contribute to and enjoy the arts; and the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities.
The Special Rapporteur also wishes to address the challenges regarding the implementation of the right of everyone to benefit from the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he or she is the author. She is interested in learning more about the concrete obstacles met by authors, creators and inventors, such as scientists and artists, to enjoy this right.
Main Results of the Study
The human rights perspective focuses attention on important themes that may be lost when copyright is treated primarily in terms of trade: the social function and human dimension of intellectual property, the public interests at stake, the importance of transparency and public participation in policymaking, the need to design copyright rules to genuinely benefit human authors, the importance of broad diffusion and cultural freedom, the importance of not-for-profit cultural production and innovation, and the special consideration for the impact of copyright law upon marginalised or vulnerable groups.
Policy Implications as Stated By Author
The Special Rapporteur proposes to expand copyright exceptions and limitations to empower new creativity, enhance rewards to authors, increase educational opportunities, preserve space for non-commercial culture and promote inclusion and access to cultural works. An equally important recommendation is to promote cultural and scientific participation by encouraging the use of open licences, such as those offered by Creative Commons.
Coverage of Study
Datasets
| Sample size: | 40 |
| Level of aggregation: | Experts |
| Period of material under study: | 2014 |
