<videovortex> FW: [Communia-members] launching the Public Domain Manifesto

[Maarten Brinkerink]

For Immediate Release  - -  January 25, 2010

THE PUBLIC DOMAIN MANIFESTO LAUNCHES TODAY
http://www.publicdomainmanifesto.org

The Public Domain as a whole is the wealth of
information that is free from the barriers to
access or reuse usually associated with copyright
protection, either because it is free from any
copyright protection or because the right holders
have decided to remove these barriers. The Public
Domain ensures that the principles of Article 27
of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
('Everyone has the right freely to participate in
the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the
arts and to share in scientific advancement and
its benefits.') can be fully enjoyed by everyone
across the world. In order to increase public
awareness about such concepts and potentialities
for spreading knowledge and culture, today
COMMUNIA, the European Thematic Network on the
Digital Public Domain, announces the launch of
the Public Domain Manifesto
(http://www.publicdomainmanifesto.org).

The document outlines a series of general
principles (opening with: the Public Domain is
the rule, copyright protection is the exception)
along with various issues relevant to today's
Public Domain, and provides some recommendations
aimed at protecting the Public Domain and
ensuring that it can continue to function in a
meaningful way-with particular relevance to
education, cultural heritage and scientific
research.

The Public Domain Manifesto reinforces the recent
Public Domain Day (1. January 2010) initiatives
and is already available in several languages
with more translations underway, also featuring
dozens of initial signers-both individuals and
organizations worldwide. Everyone is encouraged
to sign it, to follow our Facebook page andŠ to
spread the word!

For more information:
- Public Domain Manifesto website: http://www.publicdomainmanifesto.org
- Public Domain Manifesto Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/The-Public-Domain-Manifesto/4483718
90304?v=info&ref=ts
- Public Domain Day website: http://www.publicdomainday.org


-------------------

About the Public Domain
In the strict copyright law realm, "Public
Domain" refers to those works which are no longer
or have never been protected by copyright. But in
today's digital networked Information Society,
the definition of Public Domain essentially
covers any cultural material that can be used
without restriction, absent copyright protection
- broadening its range to include close relations
with open access, open licensing, fair use, and
orphan works.

About COMMUNIA
The COMMUNIA Thematic Network focuses on
theoretical analysis and strategic policy
discussion of existing and emerging issues
concerning the public domain in the digital
environment. Its activities cover several related
topics, including, but not limited to,
alternative forms of licensing for creative
material; open access to scientific publications
and research results; management of works whose
authors are unknown (i.e. "orphan works"). Funded
by the European Commission within the
eContentplus framework, the 2007-2010 project
expects to provide policy guidelines that will
help each stakeholder involved - public and
private, from the local to the European and
global level. The network includes 51 members and
is coordinated by Politecnico of Torino's NEXA
Research Center for Internet and Society.
More info: http://communia-project.eu/

Contacts:
COMMUNIA Media Office:
press at communia-project.eu



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