Cherry blossoms in Osaka, Japan

Cherry blossoms in Osaka, Japan; image courtesy of pelican

IFLA is pleased to announce that a symposium "Enhancing the Culture of Reading and Books in the Digital Age: Copyright as a means to foster creativity and access" will take place in Tokyo, Japan, on 1-2 December 2010.

This conference is organized in association with the National Diet Library of Japan (NDL), the International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organisations (IFRRO), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and the International Publishers Association (IPA) as a grand final event commemorating the National Year of Reading in Japan.

The programme looks at traditional and innovative means of access to copyrighted works, including e-books, online licensing and emerging technical platforms. It debates the role of exclusive rights and fairly balanced copyright exceptions and limitations in fostering creativity and promoting access in the coming information age when people can be writers as well as readers.

IFLA will bring a high-level delegation that includes President Ellen Tise, President-Elect Ingrid Parent, Secretary General Jennefer Nicholson and the Chair of the Copyright and other Legal Matters Committee Winston Tabb. They will debate about the role of libraries in promoting reading.

For more information on the programme and how to register for this event, please visit the National Diet Library website.