The Ivorian Bureau of Copyright (BURIDA) has presented its national survey report on reprography in universities and grandes écoles to Professor Ballo Zié, president of the Félix Houphouët-Boigny University (UFHB) in Abidjan Cocody. The report was unveiled during a presentation ceremony held at the university on October 7, 2026. The survey, conducted during the 2024-2025 academic year, gathered data from 1,330 students, 94 teachers, libraries, and reprography centers.
The survey reveals that over 88% of documents submitted by students are works by Ivorian authors and publishers. According to Serge Akpatou, deputy director-general of BURIDA, these findings highlight the importance of implementing the right to remuneration for reprography, as recognized by Ivorian law since June 1, 2022. He emphasized that this approach does not undermine the pedagogical exception provided for by Ivorian law or access to education.
Akpatou explained that certain uses of literary works and articles for pedagogical purposes are covered by exceptions provided for by law. However, the reproduction of an entire work is not authorized, and the reproduction of a work is limited to a proportion generally set at 10%. He added that the survey also found that a student reproduces an average of 308 protected pages per year, compared to 480 pages for a teacher.
Furthermore, the survey revealed that 91% of reprography centers surveyed had not received any training on copyright. Akpatou noted that nearly 90% of reproductions made by students use digital processes, including printing and downloading, while photocopying accounts for between 9 and 10% of reproductions. He also mentioned that BURIDA is proposing a pilot agreement with UFHB to implement the right to remuneration.
The proposed agreement includes the development of a calendar for its drafting and implementation. UFHB is expected to serve as a pilot institution before the system is extended to other public establishments, in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. BURIDA also seeks the support of UFHB to raise awareness among teachers and students about respecting copyright and the principle of remunerating rights holders.
Professor Ballo Zié welcomed the report and the selection of UFHB as a pilot institution for the project. He noted that the survey results will enable a better assessment of the volume of works reproduced and the losses incurred by rights holders. The university president assured BURIDA of UFHB's commitment to accompanying the process, including raising awareness among teachers and students about respecting copyright.
The survey was conducted by the National Statistics Agency (ANSAT), with the support of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organizations (IFRRO). The report's presentation marks a significant step towards implementing measures to protect the rights of authors and publishers in Ivorian universities and grandes écoles.
Key points
- BURIDA presents report on reprography in Ivorian universities and grandes écoles to UFHB president
- Survey reveals 88% of documents submitted by students are works by Ivorian authors and publishers
- UFHB to serve as pilot institution for implementing right to remuneration for reprography
