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Kenneth Crews, the Samuel R. Rosen Professor of Law at the Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis, has been commissioned by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to conduct a worldwide study of copyright statutes related to libraries and library services.  "The laws of many countries, including the U.S., have detailed provisions governing issues such as reproduction of library materials for research and preservation; lending of works to library users; and importation of foreign works to build library collections,"  Crews said.  "These statutes often reflect the economic and cultural tensions inherent in much of copyright law."

WIPO, based in Geneva, Switzerland, is an agency of the United Nations. The study by Professor Crews will encompass the laws of more than 180 countries that are WIPO members.  Crews said, "It should help identify policy issues that national governments may need to address in the near future. For example, the Library of Congress has established a study group that will soon recommend revisions of the U.S. statute on libraries and copyright."  Professor Crews was invited to undertake this project because of his leadership on copyright issues of importance to education and his experience with international copyright law as a researcher, teacher, and lawyer. Crews is also director of the university’s Copyright Management Center.