On October 7, 2026, the Ivorian National Bureau for the Rights of Authors (BURIDA) officially presented the findings of a national survey on reprography in universities and higher education institutions in Côte d'Ivoire. The study, conducted during the 2024-2025 academic year in collaboration with the National Statistics Agency (ANStat), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and the International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organizations (IFRRO), marks a first in the African francophone space for a collective management society.
The survey highlights the widespread practice of reproducing protected works in academic environments. On average, a student reproduces 308 pages of protected material per year, while an instructor reproduces 480 pages. Furthermore, 91% of the reprography centers surveyed have not received any training on copyright law. The study also notes that digital uses are significant among students, with nearly 90% of reproductions done in digital form.
According to Serge Akpatou, Deputy Director-General of BURIDA, representing Director-General Professor Hien Sié, these findings underscore the need to balance the protection of creators' rights with the necessities of learning. He emphasized that while the law on authors' rights has been recognized for ten years, its application in higher education has yet to be enforced. BURIDA aims to develop a balanced system that protects creators without hindering learners.
The right to remuneration for reproduction by reprography, enshrined in Law No. 2016-555 and operational since June 1, 2022, is set to be concretely applied in the university sector. The proposed mechanism will consider the pedagogical exception while providing remuneration for uses outside this framework. The University Félix Houphouët-Boigny (Ufhb) will serve as a pilot institution, with a gradual extension to other public establishments in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
Professor Ballo Zié, President of Ufhb, commended all stakeholders involved in the study, particularly BURIDA. He encouraged the continuation of the initiative and reaffirmed his institution's commitment to supporting BURIDA in achieving its objectives for the benefit of creators of intellectual works. This ceremony also marked the resumption of the BURIDA-Ufhb steering committee's work and paves the way for finalizing a partnership agreement between the two institutions.
The national survey on reprography in universities and higher education institutions in Côte d'Ivoire provides a foundation for establishing a fair and balanced remuneration system for authors and publishers. This initiative aligns with international standards and aims to promote respect for intellectual property rights in academic settings. By engaging key stakeholders, BURIDA and Ufhb are working towards a more equitable distribution of rights and benefits.
The implementation of this system is expected to foster a culture of respect for intellectual property rights among students, instructors, and reprography centers. It will also contribute to the development of a more sustainable and equitable model for the use of protected works in higher education. Key stakeholders will continue to collaborate to ensure the successful rollout of this initiative across Côte d'Ivoire's academic institutions.
Key points
- BURIDA and Ufhb are collaborating to establish a fair remuneration system for authors and publishers in university reprography.
- The national survey on reprography provides insights into the widespread practice of reproducing protected works in academic environments.
- The proposed mechanism will balance the protection of creators' rights with the necessities of learning in higher education.
