ALAI (Association Littèraire et Artistique Internationale) is an international organization based in Paris. ALAI was organized to promote and defend authors’ rights. It was established in 1878 at the initiative of the French Society of Authors, with Victor Hugo as Honorary President. ALAI’s initial objective was the development of an international convention for the protection of literary and artistic property. Eight years later, on September 9, 1886, the now renowned Berne Convention came into being. Since then, ALAI has participated in all the deliberations leading to Revisions of the Convention, at Paris (1887), Berlin (1908), Rome (1928), Brussels (1948), Stockholm (1967) and Paris (1971).
Since its establishment, ALAI has had a privileged relationship with various other international institutions in a number of important contexts involving the fields of authors’ rights. It is regularly invited to, and represented at, international deliberations in the institutions of the European Union. Its opinion is sought on proposals put forward by WIPO and UNESCO.
The International Association is administered by an Executive Committee, composed of representatives of the many national groups and of individual members. The Executive Committee meets at least twice a year. Its decisions are carried out by a Board composed of a President, six Vice-Presidents of different nationalities, a Secretary General and a Treasurer.
The members of ALAI meet in General Assembly at its annual Congresses.. These meetings examine fundamental themes regarding authors’ rights, in the light of the laws of all the countries represented in the membership of the Association. Recent meetings have been held in Copenhagen, Montreal, Prague, Madrid, and Estoril (Portugal). ALAI proceedings are conducted in English, French and Spanish and simultaneous translation is available.
ALAI regularly publishes the results of its work in volumes which are an essential tool for the study of current developments in copyright and are sent gratis to members. For more information on ALAI, see www.alai.org/en/