Short explainer by Teresa Hackett, EIFL Copyright and Libraries Programme Manager, on why we have copyright limitations and exceptions and why they are important. The presentation was made during a lunch-time event, “Truths, Trends and Tropes: Unpacking the Debate around Copyright Exceptions and Limitations” that took place during WIPO’s Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights, 1-5 April 2019 (SCCR/38).