This paper outlines some of the most relevant copyright obstacles libraries in the cultural heritage institutions sector currently face, when trying to fulfill their mission in the digital context. For each of the four main activities – collecting, cataloguing, making available and preservation – the essential copyright issues will be outlined against the background of the legal situation in Switzerland. Where possible, short references to a broader copyright context and the laws of other countries will be given. Particular emphasis will be placed on cataloguing and making available documents as the current ongoing Swiss copyright revision contains some innovative approaches: a catalogue privilege as well as new regulations for the handling of orphan works and mass digitization. Concerning collecting and preserving, at least some relevant questions in relation to copyright will be posed in order to maybe launch further discussions.

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