USERrights 2026Programme
Copyright, the Right to Research and Just AI — three days on the lake in Geneva.
30 September – 3 October 2026 · Domaine Barton, Parc Mon Repos, Geneva Graduate Institute
Programme at a glance
Wednesday 30 September
Foyer, Villa Barton, Parc Mon Repos
| 18:00–20:00Reception |
Thursday 1 October
Jacques Freymond Auditorium, Pavillon Barton, Parc Mon Repos
| 09:00–09:30S1Opening and Introduction | 08:00–09:00Light Breakfast |
| 09:30–11:00S2The Case for Just AI | 11:00–11:30Refreshments Available |
| 11:30–13:00S3Minimum L&Es to Enable Just AI | 13:00–14:00Lunch |
| 14:00–15:30S4Sustaining creativity via Remuneration & Licensing | 15:30–16:00Refreshments Available |
| 16:00–17:30S5Multilateral System, Right to Research and JustAI |
Foyer
| 17:30–20:00Reception |
Friday 2 October
Parallel sessions: Villa Barton, Parc Mon Repos (1st floor, rooms B11, B12, B13)
| Room B11 | Room B12 | Room B13 | Foyer, Villa Barton |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09:00–10:45S7Right to Science | 09:00–10:45S6Traditional Knowledge: Legal Rights and Ethical Responsibilities | 09:00–11:00S8Towards Common Principles for Data Re-use Conditions | 08:30–10:00Light breakfast snacks |
| 11:15–12:45S10Just AI in the Global South | 11:15–12:45S9Copyright and AI Outputs | 11:30–13:00S11Globalising Fair Use & Library Rights | 10:30–11:30Refreshments Available |
| 13:15–14:45S13African Group Proposal on L&Es | 13:15–14:45S12Defending the Commons & Open Access | 13:30–15:00S14Rethinking Copyright in the Age of AI | 12:00–15:00Lunch Available |
Jacques Freymond Auditorium, Pavillon Barton, Parc Mon Repos
| 15:30–17:00S15Elements of a Vision for Research and JustAI |
| 17:00–17:15S16Concluding Thoughts |
| 17:15–17:45S17User Rights Network Meeting |
Foyer, Villa Barton, Parc Mon Repos
| 17:30–20:00Reception |
Saturday 3 October
Petal 2, Maison de la Paix, Chemin Eugène-Rigot 2A
| 10:00–13:00S18Private meetings |
Programme in full
Wednesday 30 September
Foyer, Villa Barton, Parc Mon Repos
18:00–20:00
Reception
Foyer
Thursday 1 October
Jacques Freymond Auditorium, Pavillon Barton, Parc Mon Repos
08:00–09:00Light Breakfast · Pavillon Barton
SESSION 109:00–09:30
Opening and Introduction
Auditorium1 listed — select to expand
Presenters
- Sean FLYNN, Centre on Knowledge GovernanceWelcome and framing for the conference
SESSION 209:30–11:00
The Case for Just AI
Auditorium8 listed — select to expand
Moderator
- Ben CASHDAN, Centre on Knowledge GovernanceFraming Just AI: an overview
Discussants
- Arul George SCARIA, National Law School of India (Bengaluru)
- Luca COMINASSI, Public AI Fellow (Metagov)
- Teshager DAGNE, York University
- Carolina BOTERO, Access to Knowledge Coalition (A2K)
- Anna MAZGAL, Wikimedia Europe
- Charles DUAN, American University Washington College of Law
Note takers
- Luca SCHIRRU, Centre on Knowledge Governance (CKG)
11:00–11:30Refreshments Available · Pavillon Barton
SESSION 311:30–13:00
Minimum L&Es to Enable Just AI
Auditorium7 listed — select to expand
Moderator
- Sean FLYNN, Centre on Knowledge Governance
Presenters
- Martin SENFTLEBEN, Institute for Information Law (IViR), University of AmsterdamThe role of copyright in shaping Public AI
- Rachael SAMBERG, University of California, BerkeleyThe Right to Research Without a Right: Contractual Override and the Limits of Private Ordering in the United States
- Thomas MARGONI, CiTiP – KU LeuvenEU Data governance, public infrastructures and transparent AI
- Maja BOGATAJ JANCIC, Open Data and Intellectual Property Institute ODIPICopyright as Infrastructure for Public AI: The Untapped Potential of the text and data mining exception for scientific research in the EU CSDM Directive
Discussants
- Carys CRAIG, Osgoode Hall Law School
Note takers
- Aditya GUPTA, Geneva Center on Knowledge Governance
13:00–14:00Lunch · Villa Barton
SESSION 414:00–15:30
Sustaining creativity via Remuneration & Licensing
Auditorium8 listed — select to expand
Moderator
- Luca SCHIRRU, Centre on Knowledge Governance (CKG)Funding creation through tax, not copyright
Presenters
- Severine DUSOLLIER, Sciences Po ParisGenerative AI and creators’ remuneration: Debunking the concept of public domain payant
- Elena IZYUMENKO, IViR, University of AmsterdamDo Human Rights Justify AI Remuneration? Between Protecting Creators and Protecting Copyright Markets
- Alice De Perdigão LANA, Federal University of Rio de JaneiroRemunerating Human Authors in the Age of Generative Artificial Intelligence: A Global South Perspective
Discussants
- Chuck ROSLOF, Wikimedia Foundation
- Paul KELLER, Open Future
Note takers
- Mohammadmahdi GHORBANINIYA, IHEID
- Nikoo NAEIMI, Geneva Graduate Institute
15:30–16:00Refreshments Available · Pavillon Barton
SESSION 516:00–17:30
Multilateral System, Right to Research and JustAI
Auditorium7 listed — select to expand
Moderator
- Susan Isiko ŠTRBA, Centre on Knowledge Governance
Presenters
- Henning GROSSE RUSE-KAHN, University of CambridgeFitting an L&Es instrument into the international IP framework
- Michael GEIST, University of Ottawa, Faculty of LawHow digital-trade rules constrain AI transparency and disclosure
- Neha MISHRA, Geneva Graduate InstituteThe Impact of E-Commerce Moratorium on AI Innovation and Development
Discussants
- Stephen WYBER, IFLA
- Viviana MUNOZ, South Centre
Note takers
- Lokesh VYAS, SciencesPo, Paris.
Foyer
17:30–20:00
Reception
Foyer
Friday 2 October
Parallel sessions: Villa Barton, Parc Mon Repos (1st floor, rooms B11, B12, B13)
08:30–10:00Light breakfast snacks
SESSION 709:00–10:45
Right to Science
Room B119 listed — select to expand
Moderator
- Margaret CHON, Seattle University School of LawGenAI and copyright for global knowledge exchange
Presenters
- Andreas REIS, World Health OrganizationOverview of the WHO Expert Group on the Ethics and Governance of AI for Health
- Argyri PANEZI, University of New Brunswick, Faculty of Law(Why) Would Machines Have More Rights than Human Readers?
- Guillermo Rodrigo CORREDOR, Pontificia Universidad Catolica del PerúThe Fundamental Right to Research in the Age of AI: An Alexian Approach to Minimum Copyright Exceptions
- Kacper SZKALEJ, University of BergenCopyright’s Missing Scientist: Research Exceptions Beyond Text, Illustration and Institutional Access
- Klaus D. BEITER, North-West UniversityThe Right to Science, Copyright, and Research in the Age of AI: Augmenting the ‘Right to Research’ – From ‘Assetisation’ to Public AI
Discussants
- Heather JOSEPH, SPARC
- Yuanqiong HU, Médecins Sans Frontières Access
Note takers
- Lokesh VYAS, SciencesPo, Paris.
SESSION 609:00–10:45
Traditional Knowledge: Legal Rights and Ethical Responsibilities
Room B129 listed — select to expand
Moderator
- Wend WENDLAND
Presenters
- Kim NAYYER, Cornell UniversityAI, knowledge appropriation, and a new colonialism
- Walter SCHOLGER, Department of Digital Humanities, University of GrazThe Right to Research: Minimum Limitations and Exceptions for Computational Research
- Vitor IDO, University of São PauloAI for and against the Preservation of Indigenous Languages in Brazil: A Case Study
- Paula WESTENBERGER, Brunel University of LondonArtificial intelligence for cultural heritage research: the challenges in UK copyright law and policy
- Teshager DAGNE, York UniversityShaping AI Governance to Harness AI Innovations in Africa: Intellectual Property Rules and Practice in Community-oriented AI Innovations
- Nancy E. WEISS, American University, Washington College of LawTraditional Knowledge in the Age of AI: Agency, Access, and Authority
Note takers
- Ben CASHDAN, Centre on Knowledge Governance
Videographer
- Simone HAMMERSLEY
SESSION 809:00–11:00
Towards Common Principles for Data Re-use Conditions
Room B13PrivateClosed session
Moderator
- Teresa NOBRE, COMMUNIA
By invitation
10:30–11:30Refreshments Available
SESSION 1011:15–12:45
Just AI in the Global South
Room B1110 listed — select to expand
Moderator
- Tobias SCHONWETTER, iNtaka Centre & IP Unit, University of Cape Town
Presenters
- Arul George SCARIA, National Law School of India (Bengaluru)What ANI v. OpenAI signals for Public AI
- Hanani HLOMANI, University of Cape TownDevelopmental Fair Use: Rethinking Intellectual Property and Data Governance for AI Training in Developing Economies
- Pierre EL KHOURY, Faculty of Law and Political Science, Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU)Neither Free Extraction nor Absolute Control: A Global South Copyright Framework for Research, Remuneration and Just AI
- Susan Isiko ŠTRBA, Centre on Knowledge GovernanceAI Governance and education in Africa
Discussants
- Allan ROCHA DE SOUZA, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) // IBDAutoral
- Carolina BOTERO, Access to Knowledge Coalition (A2K)
- Patricia DIAZ, DATA Uruguay and A2K Latin American Alliance
- Teshager DAGNE, York University
Note takers
- Luca SCHIRRU, Centre on Knowledge Governance (CKG)
SESSION 911:15–12:45
Copyright and AI Outputs
Room B128 listed — select to expand
Moderator
- Zachary COOPER, Weizenbaum Institute Berlin / Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamResisting the privatisation of copyright after AI
Presenters
- Charles DUAN, American University Washington College of LawInside the AI
- Clark ASAY, BYU Law SchoolArtificial Creativity
- Eddan KATZ, LexLab – UC Law San FranciscoProvenance Public Infrastructure: The Evidentiary Layer of Just AI
Discussants
- Severine DUSOLLIER, Sciences Po Paris
- Thomas MARGONI, CiTiP – KU Leuven
Note takers
- Ben CASHDAN, Centre on Knowledge Governance
Videographer
- Simone HAMMERSLEY
SESSION 1111:30–13:00
Globalising Fair Use & Library Rights
Room B138 listed — select to expand
Moderator
- Jonathan BAND, PolicybandwidthExporting fair use as a global research safeguard
Presenters
- Carys CRAIG, Osgoode Hall Law SchoolUNFORGIVING FAIR DEALING: PAST TIME FOR CANADIAN COPYRIGHT REFORM
- Naama DANIEL, The Federmann Cyber Security Research Center – Cyber Law Program, the Hebrew University of JerusalemProtecting National Limitations and Exceptions in a Globalized World
- Stephen WYBER, IFLALegal Deposit and Downstream Use
- Torger KIELLAND, University of BergenUnlocking the Archive: Copyright, Public Access, and the Politics of Legal Deposit in Norway’s National Library
Discussants
- Henning GROSSE RUSE-KAHN, University of Cambridge
- Rachael SAMBERG, University of California, Berkeley
Note takers
- Aditya GUPTA, Geneva Center on Knowledge Governance
12:00–15:00Lunch Available
SESSION 1313:15–14:45
African Group Proposal on L&Es
Room B119 listed — select to expand
Moderator
- Sean FLYNN, Centre on Knowledge Governance
Presenters
- Cosmas Babilas MASIMO, Access to Knowledge (A2K)The Study of Copyright Limitations and Exceptions in Selected African Countries: A Comparative Legal Review on Education, Research, and Libraries
- Juteau TOUSSE, Permanent missionThe Status of the African Group Proposal
- Tobias SCHONWETTER, iNtaka Centre & IP Unit, University of Cape TownFrom Fair Use to Fair Values – how South Africa’s Copyright Amendment Bill decision reshapes the balancing of access and control
Discussants
- Carys CRAIG, Osgoode Hall Law School
- Henning GROSSE RUSE-KAHN, University of Cambridge
- Martin SENFTLEBEN, Institute for Information Law (IViR), University of Amsterdam
- Susan Isiko ŠTRBA, Centre on Knowledge Governance
- Teresa NOBRE, COMMUNIA
SESSION 1213:15–14:45
Defending the Commons & Open Access
Room B128 listed — select to expand
Moderator
- Anna MAZGAL, Wikimedia EuropeProtecting community-built knowledge commons from AI enclosure
Presenters
- Aman GEBRU, University of Houston Law CenterThe paradox of open-access platforms in intellectual property law
- Apoorv PRAGYA, Chanakya National Law UniversityWOLF IN SHEEP’S GARB? RECONFIGURATION OF POWER IN KNOWLEDGE GOVERNANCE AND THE POLITICAL CO-OPTATION OF OPEN ACCESS
- Delia BROWNE, Creative CommonsCreative Commons – public interest protections
Discussants
- Meredith JACOB, American University, Washington College of Law
- Sara BENSON, IFLA
- Viviana MUNOZ, South Centre
Note takers
- Nikoo NAEIMI, Geneva Graduate Institute
SESSION 1413:30–15:00
Rethinking Copyright in the Age of AI
Room B138 listed — select to expand
Moderator
- Luca SCHIRRU, Centre on Knowledge Governance (CKG)
Presenters
- Nino ELOSHVILI, Lecturer at Business and Technology University and Georgian Institute of Public Affairs, Ph.D. student at Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State UniversityReservation Rights for Works – A Contribution to Protection or a Source of Complexity?
- Aditya GUPTA, Geneva Center on Knowledge GovernancePiracy, Infringement, and the Empire of Copyright: A Speech‑Act Genealogy of the “Enemy of All Mankind”
- Bita AMANI, Queen’s University, Faculty of LawJust AI, Access, and Accessibility: Copyright’s Balance and Considerations for Persons with Disabilities
- Lokesh VYAS, SciencesPo, Paris.Genealogy of International Copyright Law (1850s to 2000)
- Maria VASQUEZ CALLO-MÜLLER, University of LucerneRethinking Just AI Beyond International Copyright: Digital Trade Law as a Pathway to Democratized Data Access for AI
- Sevinchbeka KHAZRATKULOVA, Tashkent State University of LawCompensating Creators in the Age of AI: Rethinking Licensing Frameworks Through Uzbekistan’s Copyright Enforcement Experience
Note takers
- Aditya GUPTA, Geneva Center on Knowledge Governance
Jacques Freymond Auditorium, Pavillon Barton, Parc Mon Repos
SESSION 1515:30–17:00
Elements of a Vision for Research and JustAI
Auditorium9 listed — select to expand
Moderator
- Ben CASHDAN, Centre on Knowledge Governance
Discussants
- Anna MAZGAL, Wikimedia Europe
- Jonathan BAND, Policybandwidth
- Margaret CHON, Seattle University School of Law
- Michael GEIST, University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law
- Sean FLYNN, Centre on Knowledge Governance
- Teresa NOBRE, COMMUNIA
- Wend WENDLAND
- Zachary COOPER, Weizenbaum Institute Berlin / Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
SESSION 1617:00–17:15
Concluding Thoughts
Auditorium
SESSION 1717:15–17:45
User Rights Network Meeting
AuditoriumURN members onlyClosed session
Foyer, Villa Barton, Parc Mon Repos
17:30–20:00
Reception
Foyer
Saturday 3 October
Petal 2, Maison de la Paix, Chemin Eugène-Rigot 2A
SESSION 1810:00–13:00
Private meetings
Petal 2Closed session
Domaine Barton · Parc Mon Repos, Geneva Graduate Institute — Jacques Freymond Auditorium (Pavillon Barton), and the Foyer and Rooms B11–B13 (Villa Barton).
Maison de la Paix · Chemin Eugène-Rigot 2A — Petal 2, Saturday only.
Zoom links for online participants →
Conference partners
