Copyright - Past, Present, and Future

60th Anniversary of the 1967 Diplomatic Conference held in Stockholm for the revision of the Berne Convention.

When: 16 to 18 June, 2027
Where: Moderna Museet, Stockholm
Host: Swedish Copyright Society

Organized by the Swedish Copyright Society, the 2027 Congress will bring together leading copyright scholars and experts from around the world in Stockholm in June 2027 to mark the 60th anniversary of the 1967 Stockholm Diplomatic Conference, which reshaped the modern international copyright system through the revision of the Berne Convention.

Among the Conference’s most important contributions were the introduction of the reproduction right at the international level and the first formulation of the three-step test. In this light, the ALAI Congress 2027 will explore how these foundational principles are being challenged and reinterpreted in the age of digital networks, platform economies, and generative AI. Through general reports, presentations, and interactive discussions, the Congress offers a forum for critical reflection on the past, present, and future of international copyright law.

Preliminary themes

The 2027 Congress will preliminarily cover the following themes

Reproduction Rights in the Age of Infinite Copies - From Printing Press to Generative AI: The Battle over Reproduction
Three Steps to What? The Three-Step Test in the Berne Convention and Beyond
National Treatment in Copyright: A Principle under Pressure - Equal Treatment, Unequal Outcomes?
Borderless Works, Bounded Law - Cross-Border Dimensions of Copyright
The future of international copyright policymaking

Summer view of Moderna Museet in Stockholm

The 2027 Congress will take place at Moderna Museet (the Museum of Modern Art) in Stockholm. The closing gala dinner will also be held at the museum, with panoramic views over the Stockholm waterfront. The welcome reception will be held at the historic Eric Ericson Hall, located nearby, which will also host the Executive Committee meeting and conference lunches. A reception hosted by the Mayor of Stockholm will be held at Stockholm City Hall (Stadshuset), followed by a buffet dinner. Participants will also be invited to a boat excursion through the Stockholm archipelago, offering an excellent opportunity to experience the city’s unique maritime landscape alongside the academic program.