Lisbon 2009 Conference

lisbon 2009 conference

report

The Conference brought together representatives from PLR offices, authors’ organisations and other agencies from a record 26 countries under the aegis of the International PLR Network. The Conference reviewed the development internationally of the PLR principle focusing principally on the progress of EU Member States in implementing the PLR provisions of the Lending Right Directive since delegates last met two years ago. The conference was hosted by SPA, the Portuguese authors’ organisation.

The Conference welcomed the news that there are now 29 countries with PLR systems, some of which have taken these steps as a direct result of pressure from the European Commission. But, disappointingly, several Member States have still to fully implement the Directive. These include Greece, Poland and the host country Portugal where public libraries remain outside PLR. There was more encouraging news from Ireland, where a new PLR system is up and running and expects to make first payments by the end of the year. Systems now exist in Belgium, Italy and Spain but first payments have not yet been made. The UK reported that digital legislation due to be introduced to Parliament is expected to include provision to extend PLR to audio books and ebooks.