The Lending Right in European libraries: the unity of principle and multiplicity of mechanisms

Abstract

Since the end of the last century, libraries in Europe have been confronted to a new challenge that threatens the existence of one of their most essential services, namely, “loan”. Authors who accuse libraries of violating their rights by making their works available to the public without their permission, demand loan compensations. This claim was considered legitimate by many countries and satisfied, especially UE countries which adopted special laws- related to loans- which have been applied with different mechanisms. Where does the idea of lending-right-so unexpected to libraries- come from? How did it become a law? What are the mechanisms of this right? What are its current stakes toward the future of libraries and the reading public?

Keywords: Public Lending Right, copyright, European libraries