Introduction

The international circulation of books has been increasing since the end of World War II. This is due not only to the role that books play in spreading knowledge of a world which is more and more technologically interlinked, but also to the growing share of books and cultural goods at large in international trade.

IPA believes in and promotes the free flow of books, and therefore supports the ratification of the 1950 UNESCO Florence Agreement. This international convention was conceived along the lines of the GATT Agreement, which was already in operation at the time. The provisions of the present World Trade Organisation, which replaced the former GATT and which also covers international trade in objects protected under intellectual property agreements, have given new life to the Florence Agreement.

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