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Derclaye, Estelle --- "By way of Conclusion: What Next?" [2009] ELECD 183; in Derclaye, Estelle (ed), "Research Handbook on the Future of EU Copyright" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2009)

Book Title: Research Handbook on the Future of EU Copyright

Editor(s): Derclaye, Estelle

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781847203922

Section: Chapter 24

Section Title: By way of Conclusion: What Next?

Author(s): Derclaye, Estelle

Number of pages: 11

Extract:

23 Access to knowledge under the international
copyright regime, the WIPO development
agenda and the European Communities'
new external trade and IP policy
Henning Grosse Ruse-Khan



1. Introduction
The rise of digital technologies, their capacity for infinite and identical clones
as well as global communication networks allowing unlimited dissemination
of digital content are providing new opportunities for access to information.
Individuals are able to access, reproduce and distribute data, ideas, concepts
and any other electronic material more widely and at almost no cost. This
potential for removing barriers to accessing knowledge on a global scale is
however not only limited by the `digital divide' as a synonym for the afford-
ability and availability of the underlying hard- and software technology, but
also affected by artificial exclusivity in the form of intellectual property (IP)
protection.
In relation to the concept of access to knowledge, this chapter examines the
current status and newly evolving trends in international IP protection as well
as Europe's external trade and IP agenda. The concept is crucial not only for
a society's ability to engage in learning and offer education. It relates further
to scientific research and forms the basis for technological advancement.
Taking agricultural, bio-chemical or medical research and technology as
examples, access to knowledge can improve or save lives. Knowledge in the
form of information, ideas and concepts also enables and facilitates the devel-
opment of new, innovative products or services with an added value or distinc-
tive character. It finally ...