Obstacles to international exchange of cultural materials

Nature

The international exchange of books, publications and educational, scientific and cultural materials is hampered by customs duties or other charges, licence requirements, quantitative restrictions, foreign exchange control measures, and intellectual property rights such as copyrights, trademarks or patents.

Claim

The free exchange of ideas and knowledge and, in general, the widest possible dissemination of the diverse forms of self-expression used by civilizations, are vitally important both for intellectual progress and international understanding, and consequently for the maintenance of world peace.