International Publishers Association (IPA) today endorsed licensing as the best way to safeguard copies of works in libraries and archives during the debate at the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).

IPA Secretary General, Jose Borghino, said, ‘The publishing industry depends on copyright to produce works and to innovate. This is even more true in the digital world. Many publishers already provide for preservation and archiving in their licences or subscription access agreements.’

‘Rather than an international treaty broadening copyright exceptions, the best way for libraries and archives to safeguard copies of works is to enter into licensing agreements with publishers as is already done very frequently all around the world,’ Borghino said.