IPA continues to work on two pillars of copyright and freedom to publish: Karine Pansa
Karine Pansa is the President of the International Publishers Association (IPA). She was elected in January 2023 and served for two years. Pansa is a Brazilian publisher and has held several roles in the publishing industry. Here, she shares her vision and her role as President of IPA.
Two years have flown past since I wrote in these pages of All About Book Publishing about my plans as President of IPA. I have looked back at that interview and, if you’ll all allow me, I will mark my own homework.
IPA’s pillars of Copyright and Freedom to publish…
I spoke then about how I would continue to work hard on IPA’s two pillars of copyright and the freedom to publish. It is stunning to see how quickly things have changed, the interviews from the very beginning of my Presidency don’t even mention artificial intelligence and yet it feels like not a day has gone by where I haven’t been asked about it. It was amazing to see how our copyright committee got to grips with this subject, working out what publishers needs around the world were and how IPA could provide the best support. We adopted our position on copyright and generative Artificial Intelligence in early 2024 and were very clear about what we need to see – transparency from AI platform and licenses for the copyrighted works they want to use to train their our data. Other big positive developments around copyright were the cases in the USA against the Internet Archive (where IPA submitted an Amicus Brief) and in South Africa with their copyright bills passing in Parliament but failing to get Presidential ascent so far. These are great examples of how IPA can support publishers around the world.
On the freedom to publish, we worked with international organisations for authors, booksellers and libraires to launch a joint statement on what we call the trinity of freedoms – the freedom of expression, the freedom to publish, the freedom to read. All three of these freedoms are being challenged in different countries and we will need that international and inter-sector solidarity to defend those freedoms.
On importance of data…
I also spoke about how data was important and I have to thank Pranav Gupta who guided us to publishing not just one but two reports, together with WIPO and Nielsen, within the first year of my Presidency on international book publishing. What that exercise showed us was that there is a lot of work to do to support those markets that currently lack data on their sectors. That work is ongoing but so important if we are to explain to policy makers just how important we are economically and culturally.
On sustainability…
Our work on sustainability has continued, with us holding our 4th Sustainabilty Summit at Frankfurt Book Fair and also launching our 1000 Action campaign to show that publishers are embracing the Sustainable Development Goals and are improving their business practices in line with all 17 SDGs. I encourage all Indian publishers to tell us about what they are doing and to look at IPA’s SDG dashboard for inspiration from around the world.
On digital publishing…
Last year, AABP asked me about digital publishing. What I said then still stands true today, especially around emerging markets where we need:
- Copyright laws adapted to digital markets.
- Upskilling to shift to digital publishing
- Integrating accessibility into our work flows from the start
On accessibility…
When it comes to accessibility, I really see publishers accelerating their uptake of accessible publishing practices. This is a great thing, especially because the implementation of the European Accessibility Act in 2025 will affect a lot of publishers, including many outside Europe.
Looking back…
When I look back at the last two years, I have to thank so many publishers and so many IPA members for their generosity and support. I have been so warmly welcomed to so many countries, including India where I was honoured at the New Delhi World Book Fair. The people of this sector make it so special and I cannot close this piece without a special thought for Asoke Ghosh who we sadly lost this year. Asoke was a true friend of IPA. He gave us so much and our link to Indian publishing is stronger because of him.
Moving forward…
I leave the Presidency of the IPA even more proud of this wonderful sector and happy that our future President, Gvantsa Jobava of Georiga, and Vice President, Giovanni Hoepli of Italy will keep driving us forward and helping us support publishers around the world.
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