The European Commission has conceded that it may have to introduce a statutory exception to copyright laws that would allow libraries and universities to make digital copies of books.
Libraries have campaigned for the right on the grounds that some "knowledge economies" are more important than lining publishers’ pockets with gold. Changes proposed are likely to include easier ways for authors to be compensated and a statutory license which would give companies scanning rights.
A collective "royalties pool" for remuneration of copyright holders has also been proposed in order to bridge the gulf in interests currently developing between libraries and publishers.
"Broadly speaking, two different views have emerged," said the Commission’s report. "Libraries, archives and universities favour the ‘public interest’ by advocating a more permissive copyright system."
"Publishers, collecting societies and other right holders argue that the best way to improve the dissemination of knowledge is through licensing agreements."
"The Commission will consider whether there is a need for further initiatives as part of the new strategy including the possible creation of a statutory exception for such digitisation efforts."
The European Commission has vowed to address the problem next year, with the goal of encouraging mass-scale digitisation and suggestions for compensating copyright holders. However, any changes would still need to be approved by the differing EU states and lawmakers.
Search engine giants have received the lion’s share of copyright criticism in the last year with their contention Google Books practices. At the moment, Google are only scanning European works that are outside the 150 year copyright warranty, but are surreptitiously taking American works without penalty due to differing laws.
The new proposals may finally put an end to the Google saga and offer a way for European authors to become part of the scheme whilst still be financially rewarded.
