Intellectual Property:
Important Notice (South Africa):
At last the Draft Intellectual Property Policy has been published by the SA Dept. of Trade & Industry for public comment:, See: www.gov.za/documents/download.php?f=198116.
This policy will impact on everyone. In particular, it will impact on access and sharing of information and knowledge, digitisation, preservation, digital curation, research, education, libraries, organisations providing services for the disabled, as well as on various laws in South Africa. It is therefore important that your needs and recommendations are taken into account by the Dept. of Trade and Industry before the Final Policy is adopted.
Researchers, educators, librarians, archivists, authors, students, organisations servicing persons with disabilities, and individuals with disabilities, as well as other users/providers/custodians of information are requested to please make timeous submissions and recommendations, where applicable.
Your comments are very important and key to our country adopting a fair and balanced Intellectual Property Policy, particularly in the context of a developing country, the WIPO Development Agenda, the Marrakesh and Beijing Treaties and other Treaty Proposals at WIPO, e.g. for limitations and exceptions for libraries, archives, education and research. This is your chance to make a contribution and be part of the process. It will affect how you access information and how you can use, reproduce or share information.
Please note that written submissions must be made not later than 30 (thirty) days from the date of publication of this notice (i.e. by 5 October 2013), to the Director-General, Dept. of Trade & Industry, Private Bag X84, Pretoria, 0001, or hand delivered to: 77 Meintjies Street, Block B, 1st Floor, Sunnyside, Pretoria. Tel. 012 394 3569 or email: MPadayachy@thedti.gov.za (for attention: Ms. Meshendri Padayachy)