The Global Expert Network on Copyright User Rights brings together more than 100 copyright scholars, librarians and public-interest experts from every region of the world. Its members research, compare and advocate for the user rights in copyright law (the limitations and exceptions that make room for education, research, libraries, access for people with disabilities, creativity and the public interest).

What the network does

The network convenes meetings and conferences, prepares policy statements and publications, and gives academics and policy advocates a forum to share research and set priorities. Its members have built comparative research on how countries write user rights into their laws, including fair use and other open, flexible exceptions. It also works on how international copyright rules can protect the right to research, education and library services, including in the digital environment and for artificial intelligence.

History

The network was formed in 2011 by a group of leading copyright academics from around the world, hosted by the Program on Information Justice and Intellectual Property (PIJIP) at American University Washington College of Law. Its starting point was the Washington Declaration on Intellectual Property and the Public Interest, which called for countries to consider open-ended limitations and exceptions in their copyright laws.

• 2011Network formed, building on the Washington Declaration.
• 2018Members begin work with advocates at WIPO on proposals for a Treaty on Education and Research Activities (TERA).
• 2023Annual meeting and public symposium on protecting copyright user rights from contractual override, co-hosted with the American Library Association and the Association of Research Libraries.
• 2024Symposium on the right to research, American University Washington College of Law, Washington DC (11–13 June).
• 2025Symposium at the Geneva Graduate Institute (16–17 June), organised with the South Centre in partnership with IFLA and COMMUNIA, producing a working document of principles and objectives for limitations and exceptions in the digital age. Read the highlights.
• 2026USERrights conference in Geneva, convened by the Centre on Knowledge Governance (below).

USERrights conference, Geneva 2026

Members

114 members, listed with their current institution.

Members take part in a personal capacity; institutions are listed for identification only. If your details need correcting, please let the Centre on Knowledge Governance know.