Continuation of work with russia in the “business as usual” format is no longer possible, and WIPO members should increase pressure on russia as an aggressor and seek to isolate the russian delegation. This was emphasized by representatives of the Ukrainian IP Office, speaking at the 43rd session of the WIPO Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) in Geneva.

In particular, Bohdan Paduchak, head of the group of advisers of the IP Office, in an address to the chairman, the WIPO Secretariat, and delegations participating in the meeting, noted that the full-scale war changed the fate and rewrote the history of many Ukrainian families, changed our customs and traditions. russian aggression already has and will have long-term negative consequences, particularly in the IP sphere.

“We are very happy to join the discussions on limitations and exceptions to copyright for libraries and archives, educational and research institutions, people with disabilities; on the protection of broadcasting organizations. But it is unacceptable to do this with a country that has violated international law, kills civilians, destroys cultural heritage and infrastructure. We would like to thank all WIPO members who constantly support us and the democratic principles of peaceful development. And we welcome further progress in discussing problematic issues and finding effective approaches to solving problems that have not yet been resolved during the current discussions within the framework of the SCCR,” emphasized Bohdan Paduchak.

Bohdan Paduchak, head of the group of advisers of the IP Office, addressed the chairman of the SCCR, the WIPO Secretariat, and the participating delegations.

Despite the attempt of russian representatives to prevent other delegations from announcing statements in support of Ukraine, they were still made. Representatives of the following delegations spoke in support of Ukraine’s position: Poland – on behalf of the countries of the Regional Group of the Central European and Baltic States; Switzerland – on behalf of Group B countries; Sweden – on behalf of the European Union and its member states.

Also, at the meeting of the 43rd session of the WIPO Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR), the draft Agenda of the 43rd session of the SCCR was discussed. In particular, it provides:

• consideration and discussion of the protection of the rights of broadcasting organizations;
• restrictions and exceptions for libraries and archives, as well as for educational, research institutions and persons with disabilities;
• consideration of proposals for conducting research in the field of the use of copyright in the digital environment;
• discussion of strengthening the protection of the rights of directors-producers at the international level and the rights to remuneration for publishing works in public libraries, etc.
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The participation of Ukrainian representatives in the sessions of the Standing Committee allows our specialists to participate in the discussion of topical issues in copyright and related rights. This is important for improving Ukrainian legislation taking into account the requirements of international treaties and social trends, and harmonizing the activities of the state IP legal protection system with the activities of WIPO.

The 43rd Session of the WIPO Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) is being held in Geneva, Swiss Confederation, March 13-17, 2023.