It comes against the background of political debate within Europe to rethink copyright in an era where the use of digital content without paying fees to the creators is part of the business model for some of the largest global internet platforms.
The Declaration is influenced by the Adelphi Charter, which resulted from a project commissioned by the Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, London, UK.
Together, we need to create greater incentives to maximise creativity, innovation, education and access to culture, and secure Europe's competitiveness.
Simultaneously, exceptions* to those rights create a balanced system that allow for the use of creative works to support innovation, creation, competition and the public interest.
While exclusive rights have been adapted and harmonised to meet the challenges of the knowledge economy, copyright's exceptions are radically out of line with the needs of the modern information society.