1 July 2025 press release

The German National Library is re-launching its Licensing Service for Out-of-commerce works (VW-LiS) on 1 July 2025. The free service allows people to easily find 20th century out-of-commerce works in traditional library collections and to swiftly apply for usage licences. The VW-LiS service pools the complex data and information flows between all parties involved. For implementing this service, the German National Library cooperates with the collecting management organisation WORT and Bild-Kunst. Licensing enables cultural heritage institutions to digitise such works and make them publicly available online while observing the relevant legal provisions.

Up to the point when the Licensing Service for Out-of-commerce works (VW-LiS) was suspended in 2021 due to the amendment of the German Collective Management Organisations Act and the German Copyright Act, more than 70 cultural heritage institutions had already made use of the German National Library’s service and acquired more than 46,000 licences. Restoring the previous range of functions for monographs licensing is the top priority in connection with the 2025 re-launch. In addition, planning provides for a gradual introduction of licensing options for non-available periodicals (journals, newspapers). The German National Library provides the related technical infrastructure, as well as offering specialist library support for users conducting searches and filing applications.

The Federal and Länder Governments and the collecting management organisations VG WORT and VG Bild-Kunst concluded a new framework agreement in March 2025, four years after implementation of the European Union Directive on copyright and related rights in the Digital Single Market (EU 2019/790; DSM-RL) on 7 June 2021. Tailored to the requirements associated with the (mass) digitisation of written cultural heritage, the licensing of out-of-commerce works facilitates the provision of legally watertight access to copyright-protected 20th century sources.

More Information

You can find all the information you need on the legal background, the new framework agreement on the use of out-of-commerce works in printed publications and use of VW-LiS on the homepage of the German National Library www.dnb.EN/vwlis

Background

The German National Library collects, documents and archives all written publications and sound recordings issued in Germany since 1913 together with works in German and about Germany published worldwide. The collection mandate also includes all editions of notes and resources of music. With the German Exile Archive 1933-1945 and the German Museum of Books and Writing, the German National Library also has valuable and rich special collections.

The German National Library's unique mandate is to catalogue this ever-growing repository of knowledge and preserve it for posterity. The German National Library offers a comprehensive range of services at its sites in Leipzig and Frankfurt am Main along with digital services that can be accessed all over the world. It regularly organises readings, exhibitions, presentations and concerts to draw attention to its treasures and promotes a culture of books, reading and music with a diverse programme of events.

The Licensing Service for Out-of-commerce works (VW-LiS) was developed by the German National Library in cooperation with VG WORT, VG Bild-Kunst and further partners in 2015. The service aims to make a vital contribution to safeguarding the written cultural heritage and making it publicly available by facilitating legally sound digitisation and provision of works that are no longer available.

The German National Library welcomes donations to support its work. Whether for general purposes or specifically for the areas of education, collections, cultural programmes and research - donations help us preserve our national cultural heritage, educate our public in the fields of science and culture, and kindle their enthusiasm. Any support helps!

www.dnb.de/support

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