The timeline presented below details the progression of discussions within the WIPO Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) regarding Limitations and Exceptions (L&Es) to copyright. This detailed chronology, spanning from 1996 to 2025, highlights the main proposals, studies, and key milestones concerning L&Es for various sectors, including visually impaired persons, libraries, archives, and educational institutions. It documents the formal inclusion of L&Es on the SCCR agenda, the development of numerous draft treaties and working documents, and the ongoing efforts to reach consensus and implement work programs.
This document was prepared based on the documents available on WIPO’s SCCR Meetings webpage as compiled in Schirru, Luca; Vyas, Lokesh; Jawara, Haddija; Ruthes Gonçalves, Lukas; and Flynn, Sean, “Documentary History of the Limitations and Exceptions in the SCCR” (2025). Joint PIJIP/TLS Research Paper Series. 148.
See PDF version below.
| Date | Main Developments | Short Description |
| 1996 | WIPO Internet Treaties | Agreed Statement to Article 10 of the WCT affirmed that Contracting Parties may “carry forward and appropriately extend into the digital environment limitations and exceptions” and “devise new exceptions and limitations that are appropriate in the digital network environment.” |
| SCCR/1: 1998 | Establishment of the SCCR by the General Assembly (GA) decision. | GA decision creating SCCR included a decision that the committee consider, amongst others, the topics of “Copyright, Related Rights, and Digital Technology” “to consider in particular the impact of digital technology and global information networks on copyright and related rights…”, the protection of audiovisual performances, the protection of databases and the protection of broadcasting organizations (SCCR 1/2). |
| SCCR/8: 2002 | L&Es as a matter for future review by the SCCR | The item “implementation of the WCT and WPPT, particularly regarding provisions on technological measures of protection and limitations and exceptions” in the document “Short description of possible subjects for future review by the Standing Committee”, provides that “Concerns have been expressed about the possibility that an uncontrolled use of technological measures together with anti-circumvention legislation and contractual practices will allow rights owners to extend their rights far beyond the bounds of the copyright regime, to the detriment of public interest. At the same time, concern has also been expressed that a narrow definition of exceptions and limitations to the protection of technological measures will unduly restrict reasonable access to and use of protected works” (SCCR/8/2, p.6). |
| SCCR/9: 2003 | First SCCR study on limitations and exceptions | First SCCR study of the topic of L&Es in the WIPO treaties: “WIPO Study on Limitations and Exceptions of Copyright and Related Rights in the Digital Environment”, prepared by Mr. Sam Ricketson (SCCR/9/7). L&Es are also addressed in the “survey on implementation provisions of the WCT and WPPT”, prepared by the Secretariat (SCCR/9/6, “The following is a brief summary of the legislative provisions contained in the survey. The summary covers the following issues: […] exceptions and limitations”, p.2) |
| SCCR/12: 2004 | Proposal to include L&Es and part of the SCCR agenda | Chile’s proposal (SCCR 12/3) to “the inclusion for the Twelfth Session of the Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights of the subject of exceptions and limitations to copyright and related rights for the purposes of education, libraries and disabled persons, in the current agenda item referring to “other issues for review”, which would become agenda item 4”. |
| SCCR/13: 2005 | Proposal on the Analysis of L&Es | “Proposal by Chile on the Analysis of L&Es”, suggesting “three areas of work to be undertaken […] 1. Identification […] of national models and practices concerning exceptions and limitations. 2. Analysis of the exceptions and limitations needed to promote creation and innovation and the dissemination of developments stemming therefrom. 3. Establishment of agreement on exceptions and limitations for purposes of public interest that must be envisaged as a minimum in all national legislations for the benefit of the community; especially to give access to the most vulnerable or socially prioritized sectors” (SCCR/13/5, p.1). |
| SCCR/14: 2006 | Study on Automated Rights Management Systems and L&Es | A study by Mr. Nic Garnett on “Automated Rights Management Systems and Copyright Limitations and Exceptions” (SCCR/14/5). |
| 2007 | WIPO Development Agenda Recommendations | WIPO Development Agenda Recommendations, which included recommendations 14 and 17 on IP flexibilities; Rec. 19 access to knowledge and technology to foster creativity and innovation; Rec. 22 L&Es in norm-setting. |
| SCCR/15 SSCR/S2: 2007 | Study on L&Es. Proposal by Mexico on L&Es for Broadcasting | A study prepared by Judith Sullivan: “Study on Copyright Limitations and Exceptions for the Visually Impaired” (SCCR/15/7). “Proposal by Mexico relating to article 10 ‘Limitations and Exceptions’”, prepared by the Secretariat (adding a paragraph (3) to article 10 on L&ES, SCCR/S2/4) |
| SCCR/16: 2008 | L&Es are formally included on the SCCR’s agenda | Proposal by Brazil, Chile, Nicaragua, and Uruguay (SCCR 16/2, p.2) proposing that “that the Committee implement a plan taking into consideration those three levels of activities outlined in Chile’s 2005 submission, with the objective of achieving a consensus on minimum mandatory exceptions and limitations particularly with regard to educational activities, people with disabilities, libraries and archives, as well as exceptions that foster technological innovation.” |
| SCCR/18: 2009 | Presentation of proposal concerning a Treaty Proposed by WBU | “Supplementary information on the WIPO studies on Limitations and Exceptions”, prepared by the Secretariat (SCCR/18/2, at SCCR/17, “it was agreed that ‘in order to update and complement the studies, governments are invited to submit to the Secretariat any supplementary information regarding their national law before February 1, 2009’”, p.1). “Draft questionnaire on Limitations and Exceptions” (SCCR/18/3, “the WIPO Secretariat was requested to prepare a draft questionnaire regarding exceptions and limitations, with particular emphasis on the issues regarding education, libraries and disabled persons”, p.2). “Stakeholders’ Platform: Interim Report, prepared by the Secretariat” (SCCR/18/4, “WIPO Secretariat invited various major stakeholders representing copyright rightholders and VIP interests to take part in two meetings with the aim of exploring their concrete needs, concerns, and suggested approaches in order to achieve the goal of facilitating access to works in alternative formats for people with disabilities”, p.2). “Proposal by Brazil, Ecuador and Paraguay, relating to Limitations and Exceptions: Treaty proposed by the World Blind Union (WBU)”, prepared by the Secretariat (SCCR/18/5, presented “as an example of norm-setting activity in the field of exceptions and limitations to copyrights”, p.1 ). |
| SCCR/19: 2009 | Multiple studies and background paper by experts and L&E beneficiary communities | Several studies on L&Es were prepared: a study by Juan Carlos Monroy Rodríguez on L&Es for educational and research activities in Latam and the Caribbean (SCCR/19/4); a study by Joseph Fometeu on L&Es for teaching in Africa (SCCR/19/5); a study by Victor Nabhan on L&Es for educational purposes in the Arab countries (SCCR/19/6); a study by Daniel Seng on L&Es for education in Asia and Australia (SCCR/19/7); a study by Raquel Xalabarder on L&Es for education in North America, Europe, Caucasus, Central Asia, and Israel (SCCR/19/8). The Secretariat prepared the “Stakeholders’ Platform: Second Interim Report” (SCCR/19/10, describing “the outcome of the above meeting and identifies further steps needed to pursue the mandated objectives”, p.2), the “Second Draft Questionnaire on Limitations and Exceptions” (SCCR/19/2), an “Analytical document on Limitations and Exceptions” (SCCR/19/3, the SCCR/18 “decided to request the WIPO Secretariat to ‘prepare analytical documents, identifying the most important features of limitations and exceptions in the various domains based on all the studies carried out, as well as addressing the international dimension and possibly categorizing the main legislative solutions’”, p.3), and a “Report on the African-Arab Regional Seminar on Copyright Limitations and Exceptions: Addressing the Needs of Affected Constituencies and Executive Summary” (SCCR/19/14). Finally, Brazil, Ecuador, and Paraguay presented a Background Paper “on a WIPO Treaty for Improved Access for Blind, Visually Impaired and other Reading Disabled Persons” (SCCR/19/13 Corr.). |
| SCCR/20: 2010 | Presentation of different documents and proposals on L&Es by delegations, and multiple documents and reports prepared by the Secretariat | Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico and Paraguay presented a “Timetable for the Adoption of a WIPO Treaty for Improved Access for Blind, Visually-Impaired and Other Reading Disabled Persons” (SCCR/20/9). The delegation of the United States of America presented a “Draft consensus instrument” (SCCR/20/10). The African Group presented a “Draft WIPO Treaty on Exceptions and Limitations for the Disabled, Educational and Research Institutions, Libraries” (SCCR/20/11). The European Union presented a “Draft Joint Recommendation Concerning the Improved Access to Works Protected by Copyright for Persons with a Print Disability” (SCCR/20/12). The Secretariat prepared a document with “Supplementary information on the Studies on Limitations and Exceptions for Educational Activities” (SCCR/20/3), the “Second Analytical Document on Limitations and Exceptions” (SCCR/20/4), a document with “Examples of Practices and Other Measures for the Benefit of Persons with Print Disabilities” (SCCR/20/5), and the “Third Interim Report of the Stakeholders’ Platform” (SCCR/20/6) and the “Report on the Questionnaire on Limitations and Exceptions”(SCCR/20/7). |
| SCCR/21: 2010 | Work program for 2011-2012. Presentation of multiple reports by the Secretariat, and questions by different delegations on previous proposals on L&Es | “The SCCR agrees to the following work program on exceptions and limitations for the two-year period 2011-2012: 1. Recognizing the need to advance the more mature areas, the Committee will undertake text-based work with the objective of reaching agreement on appropriate exceptions and limitations for persons with print disabilities and other reading disabilities. In a similar manner, the Committee will undertake text-based work on appropriate exceptions and limitations for libraries, archives, educational, teaching and research institutions, and persons with other disabilities” (SCCR/21/Conclusions). The Secretariat prepared the “Updated Report on the Questionnaire on Limitations and Exceptions” (SCCR/21/7) and the “Fourth Interim Report of the Stakeholders’ Platform” (SCCR/21/10). The EU delegation presented questions “on the proposal by Brazil, Ecuador and Paraguay in document SCCR/18/5” (SCCR/21/REF/QUESTIONSSCCR/18/5) and “the proposal by the African group in document SCCR/20/11” (SCCR/21/REF/QUESTIONSSCCR/20/11). The US delegation presented questions “on the proposal by Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay and Mexico in document SCCR/18/5” (SCCR/21/WWW/150425), “on the proposal by the African group in document SCCR/20/11” (SCCR/21/WWW/150461), and “on the EU proposal in document SCCR/20/12” (SCCR/21/WWW/150404). |
| SCCR/22: 2011 | Working text for an international instrument on VIP L&Es and a proposal on an international instrument | The Chair prepared a “Proposal on an international instrument on limitations and exceptions for persons with print disabilities” (SCCR/22/16). Another “Proposal on an international instrument on limitations and exceptions for persons with print disabilities” was presented by Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, the European Union and its Member States, Mexico, Norway, Paraguay, the Russian Federation, the United States of America and Uruguay (SCCR/22/15/REV.1). |
| SCCR/23: 2011 | Paper and proposal on L&Es for Libraries and Archives. Adoption of documents on L&Es by the Committee | The delegation of Brazil presented a background paper authored by IFLA, ICA, EIFL and INNOVARTE: “The Case for a Treaty on Exceptions and Limitations for Libraries and Archives” (SCCR/23/3). Delegations of Brazil, Ecuador and Uruguay presented a “Proposal on limitations and exceptions for Libraries and Archives” (SCCR/23/5). The Committee adopted a “working document on an international instrument on limitations and exceptions for visually impaired persons/persons with print disabilities” (SCCR/23/7) and a “working document containing comments on and textual suggestions towards an appropriate international legal instrument (in whatever form) on exceptions and limitations for libraries and archives” (SCCR/23/8). |
| SCCR/24: 2012 | Proposal on L&Es for Education. Draft articles and thematic clusters on L&Es for teaching, education, and research | Ecuador, Peru, and Uruguay presented a proposal on “Limitations and Exceptions regarding Education”(SCCR/24/6). The Delegation of Brazil proposed “Draft articles and thematic clusters on limitations and exceptions to copyright for the benefit of educational, teaching, and research institutions” (SCCR/24/7). The Secretariat prepared the “Fifth Interim Report of the Stakeholders’ Platform” (SCCR/24/2) and a “Provisional Working Document towards an Appropriate International Legal Instrument (in whatever form) on Limitations and Exceptions for Educational, Teaching and Research Institutions and Persons with other Disabilities containing Comments and Textual Suggestions” (SCCR/24/8 PROV.). The Committee adopted a “Revised Working Document on an International Instrument on Limitations and Exceptions for Visually Impaired Persons/Persons with Print Disabilities” (SCCR/24/9). |
| Inter-sessional Meeting: 2012 | Inter-sessional Meeting on L&Es for VIPs | Discussions addressed the “Revised Working Document on an International Instrument on Limitations and Exceptions for Visually Impaired Persons/Persons with Print Disabilities” (SCCR/24/9). |
| WO/GA/41: 2012 | WO/GA/41 endorsed the SCCR’s recommendation (The 2012 GA Mandate) | The General Assembly “approved the recommendations of the SCCR as set out in paragraphs, 9, 14, 19 and 23 of document WO/GA/41/14 regarding broadcasting organizations and limitations and exceptions.“ (WO/GA/41/18). |
| SCCR/25: 2012 | Draft Text of an International Instrument for VIPs and Revised Version | The Committee approved the “Draft Text of an International Instrument/Treaty on Limitations and Exceptions for Visually Impaired Persons/Persons with Print Disabilities” (SCCR/25/2) and adopted the revised version of the document (SCCR/25/2 REV). |
| Dip. Conf. 2013 | Diplomatic Conference | Diplomatic Conference to conclude a Treaty to facilitate Access to Published Works by Visually Impaired Persons and Persons with Print Disabilities. |
| SCCR/26: 2013 | Working documents on international legal instruments on L&Es and documents | The Secretariat prepared the “provisional working document towards an appropriate international legal instrument (in whatever form) on limitations and exceptions for educational, teaching and research institutions and persons with other disabilities containing comments and textual suggestions” (SCCR/26/4 PROV.), and the Sixth (SCCR/26/5) and Seventh (SCCR/26/7) Interim Reports of the Stakeholders’ Platform. The Committee adopted a “Working Document Containing Comments on and Textual Suggestions Towards an Appropriate International Legal Instrument (in whatever form) on Exceptions and Limitations for Libraries and Archives” (SCCR/26/3). The United States of America presented a document with “Objectives and Principles for Exceptions and Limitations for libraries and Archives” (SCCR/26/8). |
| SCCR/27: 2014 | Report of the Stakeholders’ Platform and objectives and principles | The Secretariat prepared the “Eighth Interim Report of the Stakeholders’ Platform” (SCCR/27/4). The United States of America submitted a document with “Objectives and Principles for Exceptions and Limitations for Educational, Teaching, and Research Institutions” (SCCR/27/8). |
| SCCR/29: 2014 | Consolidated texts | The African Group, Brazil, Ecuador, India, and Uruguay presented a document with a “Consolidation of proposed texts contained in document SCCR/26/3” (SCCR/29/4). Document SCCR/26/3 is a Working Document Containing Comments on and Textual Suggestions Towards an Appropriate International Legal Instrument (in whatever form) on Exceptions and Limitations for Libraries and Archive). |
| SCCR/30: 2015 | Presentation of studies on L&Es | “Study on Copyright Limitations and Exceptions for Museums” prepared by Jean-François Canat, Lucie Guibault in collaboration with Elisabeth Logeais (SCCR/30/2), and “Study on Copyright Limitations and Exceptions for Libraries and Archives: Updated and Revised”, prepared by Kenneth D. Crews. (SCCR/30/3). |
| SCCR/31: 2015 | L&Es in the digital environment | Group of Latin American and Caribbean Countries (GRULAC) presented “Proposal for Analysis of Copyright Related to the Digital Environment” (SCCR/31/4, “GRULAC offers three areas of work to be discussed in the SCCR/WIPO:[…]3. Building consensus on the management of copyright in the digital environment, in order to deal with the problems associated to this matter, from the low payment of authors and artists to the limitations and exceptions to copyrights in the digital environment”, p.2). |
| SCCR/32: 2016 | Study on L&Es for education | “Draft Study on Copyright Limitations and Exceptions for Educational Activities”, prepared by Professor Daniel Seng (SCCR/32/4). |
| SCCR/33: 2016 | Proposal and Study on L&Es | Argentina presented a “Proposal Concerning Limitations and Exceptions for Libraries and Archives and Limitations and Exceptions for Educational and Research Institutions and for Persons with other Disabilities” (SCCR/33/4). “Study on Copyright Limitations and Exceptions for Educational Activities”, prepared by Daniel Seng SCCR/33/6. |
| SCCR/34: 2017 | Chair’s informal charts L&Es | The committee discussed charts prepared by the Chair to promote a “better understanding of the topics” without guiding the discussion toward any “particular or undesired outcome“: “Informal Chart on Limitations and Exceptions for Libraries and Archives” (SCCR/34/5); “Informal chart on limitations and Exceptions for Educational and Research Institutions” (SCCR/34/6) (“This chart is designed to serve as a useful tool to provide a structure to discuss the substance of each topic, drawing on the many resources before the Committee.” SCCR/34/5, p. 2). |
| SCCR/35: 2017 | Several studies on L&Es. Draft action plans on L&Es and proposals related to L&Es and broadcast | Argentina, Brazil and Chile presented the document “Broadcasting Limitations and Exceptions: Proposal to Advance Discussions”(SCCR/35/10). The Secretariat prepared “Draft Action Plans on Limitations and Exceptions for the 2018-19 Biennium” (SCCR/35/9). Several studies were presented: “Scoping Study on Access to Copyright Protected Works by Persons with Disabilities”, prepared by Mr. Blake Reid and Ms. Caroline Ncube (SCCR/35/3 and SCCR/35/3/REV); “Scoping Study on the Impact of the Digital Environment on Copyright Legislation Adopted between 2006 and 2016”, prepared by Ms. Guilda Rostama, Ph.D (SCCR/35/4); “Updated Study And Additional Analysis Of Study On Copyright Limitations and Exceptions For Educational Activities”, prepared by Professor Daniel Seng (SCCR/35/5 REV), “Study on Copyright Limitations and Exceptions for Libraries and Archives: Updated and Revised (2017 Edition)”, prepared by Kenneth D. Crews, J.D., Ph.D. (SCCR/35/6). |
| SCCR/36: 2018 | The SCCR adopted Action Plans. | “Draft Action Plan on Limitations and Exceptions through SCCR/39 (2nd Meeting in 2019)” was prepared by the Chair (SCCR/36/3), and “Action Plans on Limitations and Exceptions through SCCR/39 (2nd Meeting in 2019)” were adopted by the Committee (SCCR/36/7). |
| SCCR/37: 2018 | Report on L&Es for Museums | A “Report on Copyright Practices and Challenges of Museums” was prepared by Dr. Yaniv Benhamou (SCCR/37/6 REV). |
| SCCR/38 SCCR/39: 2019 | Studies and reports on different L&Es | “Revised Scoping Study on Access to Copyright Protected Works by Persons with Disabilities”, prepared by Professor Blake E. Reid and Professor Caroline B. Ncube (SCCR/38/3). “Copyright Limitations and Exceptions for Libraries: Typology Analysis”, prepared by Prof. Kenneth Crews (SCCR/38/4). “Revised Report on Copyright Practices and Challenges of Museums”, prepared by Dr. Yaniv Benhamou (SCCR/38/5). “Copyright Limitations and Exceptions for Museums: Typology Analysis”, prepared by Dr. Yaniv Benhamou (SCCR/38/6). “Background Paper on Archives and Copyright”, prepared by Dr. David Sutton (SCCR/38/7). “Copyright Limitations and Exceptions for Educational and Research Activities: Typology Analysis”, prepared by Professor Daniel Seng (SCCR/38/8). “Interim Report on Practices and Challenges in Relation to Online Distance Education and Research Activities”, prepared by Ms. Monica Torres and Professor Raquel Xalabarder (SCCR/38/9). “Archives Copyright Exceptions: Typology Analysis”, prepared by Kenneth D. Crews, J.D., Ph.D (SCCR/39/5). “Report on Practices and Challenges in Relation to Online Distance Education and Research Activities”, prepared by Ms. Monica Torres and Professor Raquel Xalabarder (SCCR/39/6). |
| SCCR/40: 2020 | Regional Seminars and International Conference on L&Es | The Secretariat prepared a “Report on Regional Seminars and International Conference on Limitations and Exceptions” (SCCR/40/2). |
| SCCR/42: 2022 | Proposal for a Draft Work Program on L&Es | The African Group presented a proposal for a “Draft Work Program on Exceptions and Limitations”, which activities “should be based upon and built upon the prior work of the Committee and existing SCCR documents and are intended, without prejudging the final outcome, to provide the Committee with a basis for further pursuing its work in future.” (SCCR/42/4REV., p.2) |
| SCCR/43: 2023 | Adoption of Work Program on L&Es and Toolkit on Preservation. | The Committee adopted the “Proposal by African Group for a Draft Work Program on Exception and Limitations” (SCCR/43/8). A “Toolkit on Preservation” was also prepared by Rina Elster Pantalony, Kenneth D. Crews and David Sutton (SCCR/43/4). |
| SCCR/44: 2023 | Studies and proposals on L&Es | The United States of America prepared an updated version (SCCR/44/5) of the document “Objectives and Principles for Exceptions and Limitations for Libraries and Archives” (SCCR/26/8). A “Scoping Study on the Practices and Challenges of Research Institutions and Research Purposes in Relation to Copyright” was prepared by Professor Raquel Xalabarder (SCCR/44/4 REV). The African Group prepared a draft proposal “for the Implementation of the Work Program on Exceptions and Limitations that was Adopted at the 43rd Session of the WIPO SCCR” (SCCR/44/6 REV.) |
| SCCR/45: 2024 | Implementation plans | The Secretariat prepared a “Draft Implementation Plan on the Work Program on Limitations and Exceptions” (SCCR/45/10 PROV.) and a “Draft Implementation Plan for the Work Program on Limitations and Exceptions and Preliminary Comments Received by March 29, 2024” (SCCR/45/6). “Draft Work Plan on Copyright in the Digital Environment” submitted by the Group of Latin American and Caribbean Countries (GRULAC) (SCCR/45/4, “As part of the work plan, it is proposed that studies and debates be carried out on the following topics in future sessions of the Committee: […] AI and regulatory challenges, including studies on market practices and regulatory solutions for the relationship between tool training and copyright, authorization rules and compensation for use, and rules for transferring voice and image rights, as well as discussion of voluntary registrations with Member States’ offices of works generated through AI and the importance of those works being assigned identification marks.” p.3) |
| SCCR/46: 2025 | Discussions on the implementation plan and ways forward | “The Chair and Vice-Chair were seeking ideas, innovative thinking and discussion about how to move forward given divergent positions shown in a document compiling all the positions on an implementation plan for the Work Program on Limitations and Exceptions already adopted by the Committee in 2023 (document SCCR/43/8 Rev.) […] 14. The Chair presented [a] plan to facilitate, build and encourage a step forward on limitations and exceptions, as a way to overcome the polarization of opinions in order to bring positions closer together, seeking progress.” (SCCR/46/SUMMARY, p.3) |
Downloadable PDF version below
Timeline on Limitations & Exceptions at WIPO 1996-2025
