An etching and engraving of capterillars, butterflies and flower by Maria Sibylla Merian (cropped).

A German version of our brochure A Digital Knowledge Act for Europe is now available (as a PDF file). In this publication, we provide an overview of the barriers that prevent libraries, archives, universities and other knowledge institutions from carrying out their public interest mission in the digital environment and present solutions.

Like the English version, the translated brochure is structured along four actions to empower knowledge institutions in the digital age:

  1. Protect the Public Domain!
    Public sector documents, public speeches and raw materials are essential sources of information, but not always freely accessible to the public. They should clearly be excluded from copyright protection. Legal barriers to use images of cultural heritage that are in the Public Domain need to be removed.
  2. Unlock research!
    Scientists often struggle to access and share research. A right to research and an obligation to openly publish publicly funded outputs would go a long way towards unlocking the potential of European research.
  3. Promote digital adaptation!
    Refusal to license and unfair licensing terms for digital materials are one of the biggest challenges for libraries and research organisations today. We need an EU‑wide e‑lending right and an obligation to license digital works to knowledge institutions.
  4. Shield institutions from legal risk!
    Due to the complex and fragmented state of EU copyright law, many individuals and institutions shy away from research collaborations and other public interest activities. An exemption from liability for damages for those who act in good faith would mitigate this chilling effect.

The German version was initially released through iRights.info, an information platform and blog that covers copyright and creative work in the digital world. Our Policy Director Justus Dreyling provides context on our work and our proposal for a Digital Knowledge Act in a short introductory interview.

Two Books by Katsushika Hôtei Hokuga (cropped)
Featured Blog post:
3rd draft of the GPAI Code of Practice: copyright transparency is unwanted, and it shows
Read more
Newer post
Is web scraping the only copyright concern for AI? The Code of Practice’s blind spot
March 21, 2025
Older post
COMMUNIA’s submission to the EU Start-up and Scale-up Strategy call for evidence
March 17, 2025