New European copyright developments and their implications for libraries

Abstract

This paper's focus is on the latest developments in European copyright law and, more spe-cifically, on how it will affect library activities in the electronic environment. Following a short explana-tion of the concept of copyright, a brief overview is given on international and European copyright laws and their signrficance for library services. It is shown how the new technologies have influenced recent copyright legislation, and what effects this could have for libraries and in formation services. The relevant library views have been formu-lated by the working group of the European Copyright User Platform (ECUP), engaged by the European Bureau of Library, Information and Docu-mentation Associations (EBLIDA).