SPARC is the newest member of Re:Create, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit founded in 2014 by a diverse coalition of library groups, trade associations, nonprofits, and think tanks advocating for balanced copyright.
Joshua Lamel, Executive Director of Re:Create, said he admires SPARC’s work with Open Access and Open Educational Resources for students. The policy agendas of the organizations have some overlap and he says he’s looking forward to working together.
“SPARC brings a new, broader perspective that we’ve had not previously,” said Lamel. “I’m a huge fan of SPARC’s work and cannot think of a more perfect fit.”
Re:Create works with policymakers to support balanced copyright and to stop attempts to further restrict copyright. With some common interests around policy, Lamel said he will value the chance to discuss strategy, share intelligence and collaborate with SPARC on lobbying efforts that benefit the public.
“We have been trying to tell the story about the importance of balanced copyright in education communities,” Lamel said. “That’s where SPARC is a leader and having that voice in the room will be great.”
As the new Congress settles in, Lamel said Re:Create will try to counter powerful business interests on The Hill that often try to push through policies that negatively impact the new creative economy. Lawmakers need to hear about how policies could affect local libraries, patrons and people who often don’t realize they will be hurt by policy decisions until after they are made, Lamel said: “A big part of what we do is explain why these issues matter and force policy makers to think about the public interest perspective.”
SPARC joins 16 other members of Re:Create: American Association of Law Libraries, American Library Association, Association of Research Libraries, Center for Democracy & Technology, Computer and Communications Industry Association, Consumer Technology Association, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Engine, , the Harry Potter Alliance, Innovation Defense Foundation, New America’s Open Technology Institute, Niskanen Center, Organization for Transformative Works, Public Knowledge, R Street Institute and the Medical Library Association.