Last month, the International Authors Forum (IAF) strengthened its presence and engagement in the Central American region through an active contribution to the professional programmes of the two most important book fairs in the region: the Costa Rica and Panama International Book Fairs.
Across both events, IAF brought its expertise and international network to discussions on some of the most pressing issues facing authors and the wider creative sector, while creating opportunities to connect its members and partners and strengthen dialogue around authors’ rights in Latin America.
In Costa Rica, IAF participated in the roundtable “The Value of Human Work: The Situation of Authors in the Face of the Use of AI”, alongside Ana María Cabanellas, representing IFRRO, and Claudia Cabrera, former President of Ametli, the Mexican association of literary translators and an IAF member organisation. The discussion addressed the concerns of authors, including writers, illustrators and translators, as well as publishers and other actors across the book industry, in relation to the growing use of artificial intelligence tools. It also provided an opportunity to consider how authors’ organisations and collective management organisations are responding to these developments and working towards the protection of human creativity in a rapidly changing technological environment.
IAF also brought its expertise on fair contractual practices to the Costa Rican programme. María Fernanda Mendoza, IAF Consultant for Latin America, delivered the presentation “10 Principles for Fair Contracts”, addressing unfair practices that continue to arise within the publishing sector and presenting recommendations for achieving a more balanced approach to contracts, ensuring that both creators and publishers can benefit fairly from the exploitation of a work.
María Fernanda also moderated a roundtable focusing on the importance of collective action in defending copyright. The discussion highlighted the role of strong collective management organisations in Latin America and the importance of effective representation and protection of authors’ rights.
The Costa Rican programme also included a discussion on the risks of standardising Spanish in literary translation, highlighting the importance of preserving linguistic diversity and the richness of the language.
IAF’s engagement continued in Panama, where, for the fifth consecutive year, the Forum participated in the International Seminar on Copyright and Related Rights, organised by the Panamanian Book Chamber, the Ministry of Culture and the Panama Canal, with the support of IFRRO, CISAC, FILAIE and FESAAL.
Over two days, the seminar brought together a range of perspectives on the impact of generative artificial intelligence on authorship, translation, collective management, and the music and audiovisual industries, alongside discussions on legislative and judicial developments in copyright across Latin America.
IAF also supported three dedicated presentations addressing key issues for creators and rights holders: the right of participation, or droit de suite, in the visual arts and its situation and challenges in Latin America; the situation of literary translators in the context of the increasing use of artificial intelligence tools; and contracts and licensing as mechanisms for protecting authors and rights holders in the era of generative artificial intelligence. The sessions featured Fabiana Nascimento, Executive Director of AUTVIS; Claudia Cabrera, former President of Ametli; and María Fernanda Mendoza.
Through these activities, IAF not only contributed to the discussions taking place at two major regional events, but also strengthened its collaboration with member organisations and international partners, bringing together different areas of expertise and perspectives on the challenges facing creators.
IAF’s continued participation in these events reflects its commitment to supporting authors and their organisations in Latin America and to ensuring that regional perspectives are represented in international discussions on the future of copyright and creative work.
