London was the setting for the 31st International Publishers Congress, which was held from 9 to 12 April for the second time in the event’s history. Alongside panels on copyright and freedom to publish, the Congress saw the participation of well-known authors Philip Pullman and Alaa Al-Aswany, and Hachette CEO, Arnaud Nourry.
Francis Gurry, director general of the Geneva-based World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), discussed ‘Global Trends in Copyright,’ alongside Paul Doda, Chair of the IPA Copyright Committee and renowned copyright lawyer Jon Baumgarten, retired partner of the Proskauer law firm and former general counsel of the US Copyright Office.
A panel called ‘New Censors – Publishing in a Time of Fear,’ saw the Turkish author Elif Shafak, once prosecuted in Turkey over a fictional work deemed ‘insulting to Turkishness,’ and John Ralston Saul, former president of PEN International, debate the increasing challenges to freedom to publish. It was chaired by Ola Wallin, Chair of IPA Freedom to Publish Committee.
The Congress took place during LBF for the first time. Delegates got the opportunity to hear from international figures from the worlds of publishing, copyright and business from 17 countries, alongside keynotes from influential authors. The Congress was organized by the International Publishers Association in partnership with the UK Publishers Association and LBF. The comprehensive programme addressed the key policy and practical issues of the day for publishers. The programme, strategically timed to coincide with LBF, ensured that delegates not only benefited from the Congress but also a curated agenda throughout LBF. Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) was the official Gold Sponsor and Nielsen and CPI were the official Sliver Sponsors at the event.
