TIGAR Objectives and Implementation Strategy

TIGAR is a pilot project that will trial new arrangements for the search, discovery and exchange of electronic files for books in accessible formats. As a pilot, there will be regular reviews and adjustments will be made in light of experience, but there is an overall objective of providing a legacy solution in terms of ICT, processes and operations that can provide an ongoing sustainable service.

Core Objectives

TIGAR seeks to:

  • Enable and test sharing, among trusted intermediaries (TIs) and across national borders in a secure and controlled manner, of copyright-protected materials, including publisher files and accessible versions produced from them;
  • Enable identification of and access to accessible versions of copyrighted works, including those in commercial databases, across national borders, directly by “qualified” end users (i.e., those with print disabilities) and by TIs for further distribution;
  • Enable identification of 'work in progress' information about accessible versions that are in the process of being produced to prevent duplication of production.
  • Test and refine new copyright agreements, processes and technology solutions that can be recommended for inclusion in sustainable business operation/process models for facilitating further expansion in the accessible content available worldwide;
  • Test and refine the Trusted Intermediary Guidelines agreed by the Stakeholders’ Platform, and to ascertain how the concerns and interests of all stakeholders reflected in this document can be addressed;
  • Further develop mutual trust and foster partnerships between right holders and TIs that continue to build on the outcomes of this pilot project.
  • Put in place a sustainable system and stable international network of TIs that can be further expanded. This includes a governance structure to provide oversight for ongoing operations, development and sustainability. 

Implementation Strategy

TIGAR, a three-year project that will run from November 2010 until the end of October 2013, adopts a multistream approach with implementation in phases in order to achieve early demonstrable results and manage the risks involved. These streams will overlap as the project progresses.

  • Stream 1: The sharing of files, and information about them, among TIs for new and existing titles, and establishing and testing agreements with right holders, as well as creating the necessary infrastructure (i.e., business to business (B2B)).
  • Stream 2: Enabling end users to search for and access adapted content directly through TIs and, in due course, from commercial providers (i.e., business to customer (B2C)).
  • Stream 3: Ongoing development of the governance structure, TI Guidelines, as well as related agreements, guidelines, best practices and sustainable business operation/process models, as well as cultivating collaborative relationships with potential partners.
  • Stream 4: Assisting TIs, particularly those from developing countries, in participating effectively in the TI network, and fostering partnerships with organizations whose services may be relevant to the TIGAR project.
  • Stream 5: Developing an information and communication technology (ICT) component to support the successful implementation of the above-mentioned streams.

An incremental approach will be adopted, starting with a small number of participating organizations representing different types of TIs – English and non-English language in developing and developed countries – to validate the project’s basic concepts and gain experience in what works and what does not. More organizations will be added once a firm foundation has been laid.

Additionally, other pragmatic approaches including the notion of establishment of topic specific working group(s) and conducting pilot studies will be considered and implemented when conditions warranted with the aim to move the project forward timely, effectively and collaboratively.

 

 

TIGAR Project