Copyright Repository
This page compiles all of the campaign materials that members of the free knowledge movement have created as part of their copyright reform efforts. We call it the copyright repository.
This list is non-exhaustive. Please add to it!
Why is a repository of copyright reform campaign material important?[edit]
Collective resources for collective power
The goal of this shared resource is to inspire, support, build connections, and create synergies among advocacy efforts across the free knowledge movement.
- Modern and flexible copyright laws for the digital age are essential to help the free knowledge movement and Wikimedia projects flourish.
- These laws and policies create the conditions in which we can freely and openly access, discuss and share, reproduce and remix knowledge and information.
- Wikimedians and their allies have been advocating copyright legislation that supports free knowledge projects since the beginning. We should learn from each other!
- The table below is a centralized resource of advocacy campaign material. It includes open letters, emails to government institutions and officials, presentations and infographics, public events, and more.
How the resources were compiled
The contents were compiled as part of the Wikimedia Foundation Global Advocacy team's crowdsourcing copyright mapping project of 2023. This project documented the public policy advocacy initiatives around copyright reform that Wikimedia affiliates have pursued since 2016. The goal was to learn what motivated Wikimedians to pursue public policy advocacy, what topics they focus on, the capacity and resources they invested in this work, their strategies and tactics for engaging in advocacy, and what common challenges and successes they experienced. Read more about our process and findings.
Copyright Reform Campaign Resources (Sortable Table)[edit]
- What: The table contains materials from copyright reform campaigns like open letters, blog posts, and infographics. These initiatives target public policy reform, which we define as the actions intended to defend and/or promote copyright public policies developed by governments (as opposed to those set by educational or cultural institutions like galleries, archives, or museums).
- Who: The materials have been produced by Wikimedians and allied organizations.
- When: The table contains campaign resources from 2016 onwards.
How to read and use the table
Materials in the table are sorted according to:
- the region from which they originate;
- their language;
- their topic within Copyright, and;
- by the year they were published.
The 'Copyright Topic' column is subdivided into 6 categories which represent the main subject matter covered by each material within the tables. These 6 topics are:
| Topic | Description |
|---|---|
| Author's rights | Covering the rights of owners and authors of copyrighted works. |
| User rights | Covering the types of uses that can be made of copyrighted works without infringing the rights of the authors. |
| Public Domain | On the importance and the possibility of expansion of works no longer protected by Copyright. |
| Open Licensing | Covering non-profit ways of ensuring open and free access to works covered by Copyright. |
| Advocacy Skills | Containing educational materials and examples of how to conduct successful advocacy campaigns. |
| Legislation and Policy Debates | Resources concerning copyright laws, bills and policies of countries around the world that relate to but are not solely dedicated to the topics listed above. |
| Region/Group | Resource Name | Language/Description | Copyright Topic | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europe/Wikimedia Europe | Template: How to Build an Advocacy Strategy | English / This Meta-Wiki page is a timeless template that helps you create a public policy advocacy strategy. By answering a series of promots you will identify your goals, conduct power mapping, and design a communications strategy as well as possible tactics. | Advocacy Skills | 2015 |
| Sub-Saharan Africa/Wikimedia South Africa and ReCreate South Africa | What Creators Will Gain from the Copyright Amendment Bill | English / This infographic is an example of a tactic to counter a public narrative that creators would be negatively impacted by the Copyright Amendment Bill. The resource intended to demonstate that the Copyright Amendment Bill could help creators by expanding their ability to earn from, own and create copyright protected works. | Author's Rights | 2018 |
| North America/Wikimedia DC | Comment on Orphan Works and Mass Digitization | English / These public comments regarding Orphan Works and Mass Digitization were submitted to the U.S. Copyright Office, Library of Congress, in response to a Notice of Inquiry dated February 10, 2014. | Author's Rights | 2019 |
| Northern & Western Europe/Wikimedia Italia | Participation in the Consultation on The National Plan for The Digitization of Cultural Heritage | English / This official submission is an example of a classic advocacy initiative - participating in a public consultation about a proposed piece of legislation. Participating in these consultations is an important way to highlight how a legislation might impact the free knowledge movement; it allows you to share concerns and also suggest improvements. Participating in these consultations can also result in being invited to futher discussions with policy makers. | Legislation and Policy Debates | 2022 |
| Northern & Western Europe/Wikimedia Italia | Wikimedia Italia on the National Plan for the Digitization of Cultural Heritage | English / This blogpost is an example of a policy analysis and an advocacy tactic. The analysis itself is used to raise awareness about the changes that are desired related to a piece of legislation. | Legislation and Policy Debates | 2022 |
| Sub-Saharan Africa/Wikimedia South Africa | Wikimedia South Africa/Copyright Amendment Bill | English / A summarized account of all of Wikimedia South Africa's advocacy efforts calling for Freedom of Panorama and Fair Use to be adopted into South African law. It contains links to a timeline of all notable events concerning the advocacy and legislative process as well as a table of notable role-players with stated positions on the issue. | Legislation and Policy Debates | Ongoing |
| Sub-Saharan Africa/Wikimedia South Africa | The Copyright Amendment Bill in South Africa | English / This Meta-Wiki page outlines, in great detail, the advocacy steps that Wikimedia South Africa and their allies have pursued to advocate for copyright reform in South Africa. The page includes links to other valuable resource such as open letters, webinars, submissions to parliament, and speeches at regional hearings. | Legislation and Policy Debates | 2017 |
| Sub-Saharan Africa/Wikimedia South Africa | Wikimedia South Africa Letter to Parliament on Copyright Act | English / This is a letter to the South African Parliament from Wikimedia South Africa regarding proposed amendments to the South African Copyright Bill of 2017. | Legislation and Policy Debates | 2017 |
| Sub-Saharan Africa/Wikimedia South Africa and ReCreate South Africa | Impact of the South African Copyright Bill | English / This video recording is an example of a tactic to raise awareness of the impact of legislation. Wikimedia South Africa in partnership with ReCreate South Africa host a public event with press invited to explain their position on the bill. | Legislation and Policy Debates | 2018 |
| Sub-Saharan Africa/Wikimedia South Africa | Public Hearing on the Copyright and Performers' Protection Amendment Bills | English / This is a video recording of Wikimedia South Africa presenting at the Western Cape Provincial Tours; their presentation can be found at 30:29 minutes into the recording. | Legislation and Policy Debates | 2019 |
| Sub-Saharan Africa/Wikimedia South Africa | Open Letter to President Ramaphosa | English / This is an open letter from Wikimedia South Africa to the President of South Africa. Wikimedia South Africa calls on the President to sign the Copyright Amendment Bill. | Legislation and Policy Debates | 2019 |
| Sub-Saharan Africa/Wikimedia South Africa | Wikimedia South Africa Letter to Parliament on Copyright Act 2021 | English / This is a letter sent by Wikimedia South Africa to the South African parliament in July 2021 supporting the Copyright Amendment Bill | Legislation and Policy Debates | 2019 |
| North America/Wikimedia DC | Congress Edits Wikipedia: Our Perspective as Wikipedians in the Nation’s Capital | English / This blogpost summarizes an advocacy tactic: an event that Wikimedia DC hosted to present the unique perspectives and needs of Wikimedians to the various government agencies that make decisions on issues affecting the Wikimedia movement. To build good relations, Wikimedia DC and the Cato Institute hosted a panel on Wikipedia editing for Congressional staff. The event received significant press coverage in light of recent controversies surrounding Congressional editing. | Legislation and Policy Debates | 2019 |
| Global/Wikimedia Foundation | 2016 Copyright Strategy Consultation | English / This Meta-Wiki page outlines the Wikimedia movement's strategy regarding copyright-related issues. It provides an overview of the movement's approach to copyright and provides guidance to complex issues and their implications for free knowledge. | Legislation and Policy Debates | 2022 |
| Global/Wikimedia Foundation | Presentation of EU Copyright Advocacy by Dimitar Dimitrov | English / This presentation is an example of an educational material that explains the efforts within the Wikimedia movement to advance copyright advocacy. | Legislation and Policy Debates | 2022 |
| Global/Wikimedia Foundation | Public Interest Letter Opposing Journalism Competition & Preservation Act (JCPA) | English / This letter, co-authored with other Public Interest Advocates, showcases the importance of acting against a well-intentioned law that seeks to remunerate journalists, but that otherwise has the potential of curbing the free-flow of knowledge in the internet. | Legislation and Policy Debates | 2022 |
| Global/Wikimedia Foundation | Wikimedia Foundation Response to U.S. Copyright Office | English / This statement is a response to the Copyright Office's inquiry on the devlopment and use of standar technical measures shows the Foundation's opinion on the topic and the impact it could have to open knowledge and Creative Commons licenses. | Legislation and Policy Debates | 2022 |
| Northern & Western Europe/Wikimedia Italia | Why Wikipedia Italy Ended Up in China's Sights // Perché Wikipedia Italia È Finita Nel Mirino Della Cina | Italian / This news article in WIRED is an example of how to raise awareness about a particular event or topic, as well as an advocacy tactic. The advocacy tactic on display is an attempt to gain accreditation at the World Intellectual Property Organization, which would allow Wikimedia Chapters to influence international legislation around copyright. This news article is a great example of how to raise awareness about the fact that Wikimedia Italia and other Wikimedia Chapters's accreditation applications were rejected, and why this is a negative outcome. A piece like this can help garner support for the cause among civil soceity and other actors, thus putting pressure on WIPO for the next year. | Legislation and Policy Debates | 2022 |
| Northern & Western Europe/Wikimedia Italia | Wikimedia Italia and Five Other Chapters Excluded from WIPO // Wikimedia Italia e Altri Cinque Capitoli Esclusi da WIPO | Italian / This blogpost is an example of how to raise awareness about a particular event or topic, as well as an advocacy tactic. The advocacy tactic on display is an attempt to gain accreditation at the World Intellectual Property Organization, which would allow Wikimedia Chapters to influence international legislation around copyright. This blogpost is in response to Wikimedia Italia and other Wikimedia Chapters being rejected from accreditation. It outlines why accreditation would be useful for Wikimedia Chapters, and why this decision is negative for the free knowledge movement. | Legislation and Policy Debates | 2022 |
| Europe/Wikimedia Europe | Resources (Commons): Free Knowledge Advocacy Group EU | English / This meta-wiki page is a repository of different copyright advocacy materials and campaigns collected over the years by the various European Wikimedia chapters. | Legislation and Policy Debates | Ongoing |
| Europe/Wikimedia Europe | Resources (Meta-Wiki): Free Knowledge Advocacy Group EU | English / This meta-wiki page contains a repository of documents where chapters can consult different resources to have a coherent position on major legislative and political changes affecting the vision, mission and values of the Wikimedia movement. The resources include brochures, campaigns, consultation answers and position papers, events, discussions, among others. | Legislation and Policy Debates | Ongoing |
| Latin America & Caribbean/Wikimedia Colombia | Statement of Wikimedians of Colombia on the Update of Our Country's Copyright Law (2017-2018) // Declaración de Wikimedistas de Colombia sobre la actualización de la ley de derecho de autor de nuestro país (2017-2018) | Spanish / This statement is an example of organizations expressing their concerns and recommendations regarding proposed changes to a country's copyright law. In particular, this piece voices the potential implications of the updated copyright law in Colombia and advocates for a copyright framework that aligns with the principles of free knowledge and the Wikimedia movement. | Legislation and Policy Debates | Ongoing |
| Northern & Western Europe/Wikimedia Deutschland | Wikimedia Deutschland Public Policy Positions | English and German / This meta-wiki page is a repository of all the policy priorities that Wikimedia Deutschland work on, including but not limited to copyright. The page also contains relevant links and resources for each topic, including blog posts and briefings that correspond to these topics. | Legislation and Policy Debates | Ongoing |
| Northern & Western Europe/Wikimedia Deutschland | Wikimedia Deutschland Publications | English and German / This meta-wiki page is a repository of all the public policy publications that Wikimedia Deutschland has released, including but not limited to copyright. | Legislation and Policy Debates | Ongoing |
| Northern & Western Europe/Wikimedia Netherlands | Letter to the House of Representatives and The Security Committee // Brief aan de Tweede Kamer en de Veiligheidscommissie | Dutch / This letter is useful for organizations seeking to respond to government's misinterpretation of open licenses. The letter provides useful elements about the importance of open licenses and their impact on digital expression, knowledge dissemination, and innovation. | Open Licensing | 2014 |
| Northern & Western Europe/Wikimedia Deutschland | Wikimedia Deutschland Presentation at the "Right to Research?" Conference In South Africa | English / This presentation is an example of an educational material that explains the importance of having works financed with public money be made available under a Creative Commons license | Open Licensing | 2023 |
| Northern & Western Europe/Wikimedia Italia | Reusing Images of Italian Cultural Heritage from Wikimedia Commons Will Become More Difficult | English / This blogpost is an example of a position statement on how copyright public policy will negatively impact Wikimedia projects. | Public Domain | 2022 |
| Northern & Western Europe/Wikimedia Italia | Italian Cultural Heritage on the Wikimedia Projects | English / This Meta-Wiki page is an example of the efforts led by a Wikimedia community to document cultural heritage initiatives on various Wikimedia projects. It also serves as an example of the main challenges faced by a community related to copyright law restrictions and why it is relevant to create content about cultural heritage on the Wikimedia projects. | Public Domain | 2022 |
| Central & Eastern Europe & Central Asia/Wikimedia Georgia | Proposal for the Parliament of Georgia // წინადადება საქართველოს პარლამენტისთვის | Georgian / This legislative proposal is an advocacy piece directed to the head of the Georgian Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee supporting and promoting the public domain, as well as the collection, dissemination, and distribution of cultural and historical content. This proposal is also useful for other organizations seeking to create synergies among different stakeholders as it calls for the harmonization of Georgian legislation with European Union regulations and the cooperation of the organization's members with other countries' legislation. | Public Domain | 2023 |
| East, Southeast Asia, & Pacific/Wikimedia Indonesia and Creative Commons Indonesia | Practical Guide to the Use of Creative Commons Licenses // Pedoman Praktis Pnggunaan Lisensi Creative Commons | Indonesian / This infographic brochure is useful for educational purposes. It explains practical guidelines for use of Creative Commons licenses. This is not an example of an advocacy effort that is trying to change government laws, but it is important so that Wikimedians and others can understand the importance of Creative Commons licenses, therefore better apply them, and start to develop case studies and examples to show why government legislation should protect the public domain. | Public Domain | 2023 |
| East, Southeast Asia, & Pacific /Wikimedia Indonesia | What's the Difference Between Trademark Rights, Copyrights, and Patents? // Apa Bedenya, Hak Merek, Hak Cipta, Dan Hak Paten? | Indonesian / This infographic is useful for educational purposes. It explains the difference between specific types of copyright. This is not an example of an advocacy effort that is trying to change government laws, but it is important so that Wikimedians and others can understand how to apply copyright licenses, and start to develop case studies and examples to show why government legislation should protect the public domain. It was printed as a standing banner and used during creative commons license trainings. | Public Domain | 2023 |
| East, Southeast Asia, & Pacific /Wikimedia Indonesia | Guidelines for Contributing Content to Wikimedia Commons // Panduan Berkontribusi Konten di Wikimedia Commons | Indonesian / This booklet introduces Wikimedia Commons and briefly explains relevant copyright laws. This is an awareness-raising resource that can be used to educate policymakers, allies, and other stakeholders, about how the Wikimedia model works and why it is important to protect and promote. | Public Domain | 2023 |
| Latin America & Caribbean/Wikimedia Colombia | Comments on Bill No. 206 of 2018 Before the Senate with an Urgent Message to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism, and the Ministry of the Interior // Comentarios al proyecto de ley No. 206 de 2018 radicado en el senado con mensaje de urgencia por el Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo junto con el Ministerio del Interior | Spanish / These public comments are an example of a copyright campaign around access to indigenous knowledge and languages before the executive and legislative branches of a country. | User Rights (access to knowledge) | Ongoing |
| Central & Eastern Europe & Central Asia/Wikimedia Ukraine | Wikimedia Ukraine Freedom of Panorama Campaign Report 2015 | English / This Meta-Wiki page is about the activities and achievements of Wikimedia Ukraine during 2015. The report discusses the engagement with stakeholder groups, public awareness campaigns, lobbying efforts, and legislative developments related to freedom of panorama. | User Rights (freedom of panorama) | 2015 |
| Central & Eastern Europe & Central Asia/Wikimedia Estonia | Wikimedia Estonia Freedom of Panorama Campaign Report 2015 | English / This Meta-Wiki page is about the activities and achievements of Wikimedia Estonia during 2015. The report discusses the engagement with stakeholder groups, public awareness campaigns, lobbying efforts, and legislative developments related to freedom of panorama. | User Rights (freedom of panorama) | 2017 |
| Europe/Wikimedia Europe | Freedom of Panorama in Europe in 2015 | English / This Meta-Wiki page is an example of the benefits of FoP within the Wikimedia movement. The page also serves as an educational example of how to make and use photographs of public spaces without restriction, while protecting the architect's or visual artist's rights. | User Rights (freedom of panorama) | 2021 |
| Europe/Wikimedia Europe | Freedom of Panorama in Europe in 2015/Contact Your MEP | English / This Meta-Wiki page is an example of how to contact relevant members of the Parliament to express support for or raise concerns about Freedom of Panorama laws in Europe. | User Rights (freedom of panorama) | 2021 |
| Sub-Saharan Africa/Wikimedia South Africa | Freedom of Panorama in South Africa | English / This page on Wikimedia Commons is a campaign page that articulates the importance of Freedom of Panorama. It also provides useful campaign resources including a three-minute pitch to describe the issue and promote Wikimedia South Africa's proposed solution, as well as images that demonstrate the negative impact of the current legislation. | User Rights (freedom of panorama) | 2022 |
| Central & Eastern Europe & Central Asia/Wikimedia Estonia | Freedom of Panorama in Estonia // Panoraamivabadus | Estonian / This Meta-Wiki page explains the work of Wikimedia Estonia around freedom of panorama between 2014 and 2017. The main purpose of the page is to educate and inform users about the legal aspects of freedom of panorama in the country. | User Rights (freedom of panorama) | 2022 |
| Central & Eastern Europe & Central Asia/Wikimedia Georgia | Draft Law for the Signature of the President // საქართველოს კანონი „საავტორო და მომიჯნავე უფლებების შესახებ“ საქართველოს კანონში ცვლილების შეტანის თაობაზე | Georgian / This draft law focuses on the reproduction, distribution, and use of architectural, photographic, and artistic works. It can be used as an example to introduce modifications to current laws where freedom of panorama is not considered or it is applied under exceptional circumstances. | User Rights (freedom of panorama) | 2022 |
| East, Southeast Asia, & Pacific /Wikimedia Indonesia | Special Session with Directorate General of Intellectual Property: The Need for Panoramic Freedom Provisions in Indonesia // Sesi Spesial Dengan Direktorat Jenderal Kekayaan Intelektual: Perlunya Ketentuan Kebebasan Panorama di Indonesia | Indonesian / This webinar with Director of Copyright and Industrial Design is an example of how to raise awareness about an issue, like freedom of panorama, while also building relationships with influential stakeholders such as the Directorate General of Intellectual Property. After hosting this session, Wikimedian Indonesia were able to request a follow-up meeting to discuss their interest in freedom of panorama. The webinar itself was part of a copyright reform initiative. | User Rights (freedom of panorama) | 2023 |
| Sub-Saharan Africa/Wikimedia South Africa | Wikimedia South Africa Comment on the Copyright Amendment Bill | English / This public comment submission to the to the NCOP Trade & Industry, Economic Development, Small Business, Tourism, Employment & Labour, referring to the South African Copyright Amendment Bill, emphasizes the importance of Freedom of Panorama and fair use exceptions to benefit the work of South African creators. | User Rights (freedom of panorama) | 2023 |
| Central & Eastern Europe & Central Asia/Wikimedia Ukraine | Wikimedia Ukraine Freedom of Panorama Infographics | Ukrainian / These infographics are useful for educational purposes to users so they can understand the concept of freedom of panorama and how they can photograph or create images of public spaces, buildings, and artworks. | User Rights (freedom of panorama) | Ongoing |
| Northern & Western Europe/Wikimedia Netherlands | Open Access to Cultural Heritage, Monetization, and NFT // Reactie internetconsultatie auteursrecht | Dutch / This report is an example of how organizations can engage in open public consultations and mobilize their concerns around copyright reforms. | User Rights (open access) | 2015 |
| Northern & Western Europe/Wikimedia France | Copyfraud on National Domains // Copyfraud sur les Domaines Nationaux | French / This blogpost is an example of how restrictions of access to and use of images of historical sites could impact the quality of Wikipedia articles and the overall promotion of French culture. | Public Domain | 2016 |
| Northern & Western Europe/Wikimedia France | Wikimedia joins La Quadrature against the Google image tax // Wikimédia se joint à La Quadrature contre la taxe Google image | French / This blogpost illustrates how advocacy groups can oppose a proposed tax on images indexed on the internet and their intent to challenge it under French law. | Open Licensing | 2016 |
| Northern & Western Europe/Wikimedia Deutschland | Broadcast by the Public, for the Public | English / This blogpost explains the importance of access to digitized cultural heritage and its relationship to public broadcasting. Particularly, the article discusses the role of public media in supporting education during the global pandemic and how public broadcasters license their content under free culture licenses to make it available for use by platforms like Wikipedia. | Open Licensing | 2020 |
| Latin America & Caribbean/Wikimedia Chile | Why the Proposal on Copyright for the New Constitution of Chile Seems Deficient to Us // Por Qué la Propuesta sobre Derechos de Autor para la Nueva Constitución de Chile nos Parece Deficiente | Spanish / This statement raises copyright concerns in the new Chilean Constitution, including imbalanced treatment of copyright, failure to protect the public interest, deviation from international human rights standards, and technical deficiencies. | Legislation and Policy Debates | 2022 |
| Northern & Western Europe/Wikimedia Deutschland | Public Money Public Good // Öffentliches Geld Öffentliches Gut | German / This campaign is an example of a call for action directed to public broadcasting stations to keep educational content available online under a free license in order to avoid deletion or removal of content. | Open Licensing | Ongoing |
| Global/N/A | Commons: Freedom of Panorama | English / This page provides an explanation of what freedom of panorama is and details about different laws and regulations from country to country, as well as any restrictions or exceptions that may apply. | User Rights (freedom of panorama) | 2022 |
| Global/N/A | Freedom of Panorama Laws Around the World | English / This page explains the different laws and regulations that apply to freedom of panorama across different jurisdictions, as well as any restrictions or exceptions that may apply. | User Rights (freedom of panorama) | 2022 |
| Northern & Western Europe/N/A | Blacked out Versions of Images Relying on Freedom of Panorama in Belgium | English / This page contains images or files that had to be modified or "blacked out" due to copyright issues related to the Freedom of Panorama in Belgium. | User Rights (freedom of panorama) | Ongoing |
| Latin America & Caribbean/Wikimedia Mexico | Wikimedia Mexico's opposition to the signing of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) // Wikimedia México contra ACTA | Spanish / This statement is an example of how an international agreement could potentially limit internet freedom and risk Wikimedia projects. | Legislation and Policy Debates | 2012 |
| Latin America & Caribbean/Wikimedia Mexico | Statement of Wikimedia Mexico regarding the Döring Law // Postura de Wikimedia México ante la Ley Döring | Spanish / This statement describes the potential impact of a legislative initiative on the distribution of knowledge through the Internet. In particular, the statement criticizes the broad and ambiguous definitions of the law and calls for a dialogue and a pluralistic approach that considers all stakeholders in the digital culture, including internet users and creators. | Legislation and Policy Debates | 2012 |
| Latin America & Caribbean/Wikimedia Mexico | Wikimedia Mexico's positioning regarding the "Amendment for Industrial Property Law, Federal Law on Copyright and the Federal Penal Code, signed by Aurora Denisse Ugalde Alegría and Héctor Humberto Gutiérrez, of Institutional Revolutionary Party’s (PRI) Parliamentary Group"// Posicionamiento de Wikimedia México ante la “Propuesta de Ley de la Propiedad Industrial, de la Ley Federal del Derecho de Autor y del Código Penal Federal, suscrita por los diputados Aurora Denisse Ugalde Alegría y Héctor Humberto Gutiérrez" | Spanish / This statement is an example of how a legislative reform could potentially restrict access to Wikipedia and other projects of free knowledge. The statement also calls for a a fair legislation that promotes access to cultural goods and protects the rights of the public. | Legislation and Policy Debates | 2013 |
| Northern & Western Europe/Wikimedia Italia | A Wikimedian asks European Parliament members for copyright reform | English / This blogpost discusses the experience and perspectives of a Wikimedian on copyright laws during meetings with members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in Brussels. The article highlights the importance of copyright reform in Europe and the need to advocate for freedom of panorama and public domain works in the continent. | Legislation and Policy Debates | 2015 |
| Global/Wikimedia Foundation | Copyright Advocacy Repository | English / This repository contains a list of Wikimedia community advocacy discussions, actions, and decisions regarding copyright laws around the world from 2011 to 2017. | Legislation and Policy Debates | 2017 |
| Latin America & Caribbean/Wikimedia Mexico | Transparency and digital rights in NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) // Transparencia y los derechos digitales en el TLCAN | Spanish / This statement is signed by multiple civil society organizations and discusses the importance of transparency and digital rights in the context of the renegotiation of the NAFTA agreement between Mexico, Canada, and the United States. The organizations call for internet freedoms and the rights of internet users to access culture, knowledge, and an open and innovative internet. | Legislation and Policy Debates | 2017 |
| Global/Wikimedia Foundation | Your internet is under threat. Here’s why you should care about European Copyright Reform | English / This blogpost is an example of a call for action urging the European Parliament to create a copyright framework that reflects the evolution of how people use the internet today. The article explains how copyright rules influence communication and creativity on the internet. | Legislation and Policy Debates | 2018 |
| Latin America & Caribbean/Wikimedia Mexico | Statement of Wikimedia Mexico regarding the Reforms to the Federal Copyright Law Approved by the Mexican Senate on April 26, 2018 // Postura de Wikimedia México ante las reformas a la Ley Federal del Derecho Autor aprobadas por el Senado mexicano el 26 de abril de 2018 | Spanish / This statement is an example of how a legislative reform could potentially affect Wikipedia and the free knowledge movement. In particular, the statement discusses how the reform could lead to the removal or suspension of content of Wikimedia projects based on precautionary measures to counter "copyright infringement." | Legislation and Policy Debates | 2018 |
| Global /Wikimedia Foundation | Problems remain with the EU’s copyright reform | English / This blogpost discusses the copyright reform in Europe, including its positive aspects for safeguarding the public domain and opening up access to out-of-commerce works, missed opportunities, and problematic developments. | Legislation and Policy Debates | 2019 |
| Northern & Western Europe/Wikimedia Portugal | Wikipedia wears black to protest copyright directive // Wikipédia veste-se de negro em protesto contra diretiva de direitos de autor | Portuguese / This blogpost discusses the concerns around the European copyright directive and the protest in the Wikipedia page against the directive considering its impact on freedom of expression and participation on the Internet. | Legislation and Policy Debates | 2019 |
| Global/Wikimedia Foundation | Wikimedia Foundation's Repository of Copyright Blogposts | English / This repository contains multiple articles drafted by Wikimedia Foundation's staff about ongoing copyright issues around the world throughout time. | Legislation and Policy Debates | Ongoing |
| Northern & Western Europe/Wikimedia France | Wikimédia France/Digital regulation/Copyright directive/Actions // Wikimédia France/Régulation du numérique/Directive copyright/Actions | French / This Meta-wiki page summarizes the actions taken by Wikimedia France as part of the EU Copyright Directive. | Legislation and Policy Debates | 2019 |
| Global/International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions | Toolkit: Libraries, Development and the United Nations 2030 Agenda | Multiple / This toolkit provides guidance on how to advocate to national and regional policy makers to ensure that access to information is included as part of national and regional development plans that will contribute to meeting the global 2030 agenda for the Sustainable Development Goals. It includes examples of how libraries worlwide have implemented some of these tactics, as well as links to external resources like an advocacy toolkit that helps national-level civil society stakeholders engage with their governments and other local, regional or international stakeholders to support the planning, implementation, follow-up and accountability of securing Goal 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals. | Advocacy Skills | Ongoing |
| Africa/African Library and Information Associations and Institutions | AfLIA Position on Public Lending Right | English / This statement raises awareness about the concept of Public Lending Rights, its benefits and significance in supporting authors and libraries, and the potential positive impact it can have across the African continent. | Author's Rights (Public Lending) | 2020 |
| Africa/African Library and Information Associations and Institutions | Statements by Civil Society on Proposal for a WIPO Study on Public Lending Right | English / This statement is an example of multilateral advocacy efforts around Public Lending Right. Users can learn the perspectives and experiences of various organizations advocating for PLR. | Author's Rights (Public Lending) | 2021 |
| Global/International Authors Forum | Public Lending Right: An Introductory Guide | English / This guide is an example of educational material about PLR systems worldwide and their implementation in different countries. The guide is aimed at individuals, organizations, and governments understanding and studing PLR for the first time and who are seeking information on how PLR operates, how it benefits authors, how it has been established globally. | Author's Rights (Public Lending) | 2021 |
| Global/International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions | The IFLA Position on Public Lending Right | English / This guide is an example of educational material on PLR and how to build policy recommendations for stakeholders to advance the implementation of PLR systems. | Author's Rights (Public Lending) | 2021 |
| Northern & Western Europe/AvoinGLAM | Copyright Directive Awareness Campaign | Finnish / This series of Facebook posts and webinars raises awareness about elements of the EU Copyright Directive and invites discussion around how these might impact the open movement. The campaign offers examples of how to use visual graphics and how to organize awareness-raising webinars about copyright issues. | Legislation and Policy Debates | 2022 |
| North America/Fight for the Future | Fight For the Future Petition Against Copyright Censorship | English / This campaign higlights dangerous aspects of the "SMART Copyright Act" and how they could foster Copyright Censhorship through a greater abuse of enforcement mechanisms. | Legislation and Policy Debates | 2022 |
| Northern & Western Europe/Open Netherlands | Opinion: Open Licenses Are Not Exploitation Agreements // Opinie: Open Licenties Zijn Geen Exploitatieovereenkomsten | Dutch / This blogpost is an example of a policy analysis and an advocacy tactic, whereby an organization publicly questioned lawmakers about the impact of a provision and then published their own analysis of how the response that they received would impact open licenses. | Open Licensing | 2014 |
| Europe/Communia | Public Domain Manifesto | English / This website is an example of a copyright campaign promoting and advancing the public domain as the basis for free knowledge and culture. As part of their commitment to advance and strengthen the public domain, different Wikimedia chapters signed the Manifesto. | Public Domain | 2017 |
| East, Southeast Asia, & Pacific /Creative Commons Indonesia | Public Domain Postcard Campaign | Indonesian / This set of images is an example of how to raise awareness about a topic, such as the benefit of ensuring that historical images are in the public domain. In this case, Creative Commons Indonesia produced postcards based on public domain works to promote the use of public domain works. These graphics could be printed or used as part of a social media campaign. | Public Domain | 2023 |
| Latin America & Caribbean/InternetLab | Remix Initiative | Portuguese / This campaign offers an interactive platform with resources for users to explore and understand copyright law and its implications in Brazil. Some of the resources include guides for libraries, guides to copyright law and open education, and introduction to intellectual property. The Remix Initiative also offers an interactive learning experience, which includes copyright concepts, scenarios, and case studies, allowing users to engage with the content of copyright law. | User Rights (access to knowledge) | 2023 |
| Northern & Western Europe/Fair Copyright | FairCopyrightOz | English / This Meta-Wiki page is an example of a copyright campaign or initiative aiming to promote fair copyright laws in Australia. | User Rights (fair use) | 2017 |
| Sub-Saharan Africa/ReCreate South Africa | Fair Use in South Africa | English / This video is an example of a tactic to raise awareness of the impact of legislation. This particular video features multiple stakeholders and could be used as part of an online campaign. | User Rights (fair use) | 2018 |
| East, Southeast Asia, & Pacific /Pilipinas Panorama Community | Freedom of Panorama in the Philippines | Multiple / This Meta-Wiki page is an example of educational material about the importance, benefits, and uses of freedom of panorama in a particular country or region. | User Rights (freedom of panorama) | 2023 |
| Northern & Western Europe/AvoinGLAM | AvoinGLAM’s Response to the Writing of Kimmo Levä, Director General of The Finnish National Gallery | English / This blogpost is an example of a thought leadership piece in response to breaking news that would harm the open GLAM movement. | User Rights (GLAMs) | 2015 |
| Africa/African Library and Information Associations and Institutions | Webinar Series: Copyright Issues and African Libraries | English / The webinar series is an example of how to raise awareness and gain a better understanding of copyright laws and regulations in the African context, learn about best practices for managing copyrighted materials in libraries, and explore ways to maximize access to information while ensuring compliance with copyright requirements. This campaign serves also as an example and resource for librarians, information professionals, and individuals interested in copyright issues within the African library landscape. | User Rights (GLAMs) | 2020 |
| Africa/African Library and Information Associations and Institutions | Letter to African Free Trade Zone | English / This letter is useful for organizations and users that seek to engage in discussions about how library associations contribute to economic growth, innovation, and social development in Africa. The letter also serves as an example of an advocacy campaign for the inclusion of libraries in the AfCFTA negotiations and highlights the importance of libraries as essential institutions for economic development, education, and access to information in the continent. | User Rights (GLAMs) | 2020 |
| Northern & Western Europe/AvoinGLAM | Open Access to Cultural Heritage, Monetization, and NFT | English / This webinar is an example of how to raise awareness around a particular topic, this time in response to breaking news. A series of experts lead a discussion on how emerging technologies might be used for the monetization in museums (ie the earnings that can be made from the museums’ data assets) and how that might impact open GLAM initiatives. | User Rights (open access) | 2015 |
| Global/Electronic Information for Libraries | Strengthening Open Access Publishing in Kenya | English / This blogpost is an educational example of the importance of open-access publishing, and how it fosters access to knowledge and promotes collaboration and innovation. | User Rights (open access) | 2021 |
| Global/International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions | Access to Information for African Development: 10 Principles for the African Continental Free Trade Area | English / This blogpost is an example of an educational piece about the importance of access to information and its benefits for the development of a particular country or region. | User Rights (open access) | 2022 |
Get involved[edit]
This mapping project may be finished, but our work advocating free and open copyright continues. We want these findings to inform how we collectively carry out public policy advocacy to ensure copyright regimes that benefit free and open knowledge.
Let’s keep the conversation going! Here are some ways to get involved:
- Share your ideas on our our Talk Page;
- Join our Let's Connect! Worshopson copyright advocacy;
- Sign up to the public policy mailing list to learn what else the Foundation and Wikimedia communities are working on.