ETIN / TIGAR Information Note
Similarities, Differences and Complementary Relationship
Prepared by the ETIN and TIGAR Steering Committee (January 16, 2012)
This Information Note is provided by the European Trusted Intermediaries Network (ETIN) and the Trusted Intermediary Global Accessible Resources (TIGAR) Steering Committee. It serves as a high level reference to trusted intermediaries (TIs) and right holders (RHs) that are considering participation in both or either initiative(s). It summaries key similarities, differences and complementary relationship between the two.
Introduction
ETIN and TIGAR share the same primary objective to provide access to copyright-protected works in accessible formats for people with print disabilities across borders through the support of TIs1. The two initiatives are complementary and mutually supportive of each other. They are different in terms of geographical coverage, time schedule and approach adopted; however, the differences do not prevent future collaboration between the two initiatives.
Key Similarities between ETIN and TIGAR
Objective and Focus
Both projects aim to improve the accessibility and amount of copyright-protected accessible materials available for people with print disabilities across borders through TIs. They both envisage the cross-border exchange between TIs, as well as directly from TI to cross-border end user.
Collaborative Partnership with TIs and RHs
Both projects call on voluntary participation from TIs and RHs through collaborative partnership, and a TI or RH can participate in both projects.
Copyright Licensing Arrangement
Both projects aim to establish working solutions to foster and entrench partnership between participating organizations including the notion of collective licensing agreement.
Goal for Long Term Sustainability
Both projects seek to establish long term sustainable solution(s) for cross-border exchange of accessible works.
Major Differences between ETIN and TIGAR
Geographical Coverage
ETIN aims to have pan-European coverage with initial focus on member countries from the EU, the EEA and Switzerland. TIGAR aims to have global coverage including developing countries.
Technical and Operational Matters
ETIN proposes de-centralized facilities managed by participating TIs for file exchange. TIs can exchange accessible versions of books among themselves, and can also supply accessible versions directly to visually impaired persons in other ETIN member states.
TIGAR will have a specific ICT infrastructure to be provided and managed by WIPO. It includes a centralized transitory file transfer facility (for transparency and ease of reporting), mechanisms to facilitate the provision of files from publishers, ‘search and discovery’ tools for accessible books available via TIs or commercially or in development, and other supporting services.
Ownership and Governance
ETIN has been established through the Stakeholder Dialogue participants and has a Steering Committee formed by authors, publishers, TIs and collective rights management organisations to recognise and assist the TIs established at a national level. The European Commission (DG Internal Market and Services) acts as facilitator for the ETIN network.
TIGAR is a collaborative initiative under the auspices of the WIPO Stakeholders’ Platform. The TIGAR Steering Committee is composed of representatives from both the TI and RH communities and WIPO. The operational implementation of TIGAR is the responsibility of a 3-person project management team that reports to the TIGAR Steering Committee. The PMT interfaces and coordinates activities with participating TIs and RHs.
Complementary Relationship between ETIN and TIGAR
The ETIN initiative and the TIGAR project are complementary and mutually supportive. The two projects will work collaboratively, share strategies and experiences to ultimately facilitate interoperability between the two initiatives.
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1 Trusted Intermediaries (TIs) participating in the ETIN initiative and the TIGAR project are not-for-profit organizations – such as national libraries or charities serving the visually impaired community – that provide specialized services related to training, education, adaptive reading or information access for people with print disabilities.
