International Protection of Copyright and Related RightsJørgen Savy BlomqvistDirector, Copyright Law Division

The Timeframe

• The Berne Convention 1886 (1967/1971)

• The Rome Convention 1961• “Guided development” 1975 to

1990• The TRIPS Agreement 1994• WCT and WPPT 1996

General principles

• National treatment• Minimum protection• Law of the country where protection

is claimed• Independence of law of country of

origin• Dispute settlement under general

rules of public international law

Points of Attachment

• Nationality• Headquarters or domicile• Place of first publication (within 30

days)• Place where physically situated• Place of performance/recording• Place of transmission

Rights

• Reproduction• Fixation• Translation, adaptation• Public performance/recital• Broadcasting and other communication

to the public• Resale right• Moral rights (authorship and integrity)

Limitations and Exceptions

• The three-step test– certain special cases– not conflict with normal exploitation– not otherwise unreasonably prejudice

legitimate interests of the right owner

• The minor reservations– limited exceptions, allowed for religious

ceremonies, military bands and the needs of child and adult education

The TRIPS Agreement• Incorporated substantive provisions of

Berne, except moral rights• Repeated most substantive provisions of

Rome• Added computer programs, databases,

rental rights, retrospective effect for related rights

• Detailed enforcement provisions• Dispute settlement mechanism

The Internet Treaties

• The WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT)• The WIPO Performances and

Phonograms Treaty (WPPT)- adopted in Geneva on December 20, 1996

General Update

• Computer programs• Databases• Distribution and rental• Enforcement• Economic and moral rights for

performers• Economic rights for producers of

phonograms

The “Digital Agenda” I

• Right of reproductionTemporary reproduction,

WCT Article 1(4) and the agreed statement, WPPT Articles 7 and 11

• Right of making availableThe “umbrella solution,” WCT Article

8, WPPT Articles 8 and 14

The “Digital Agenda” II

• Limitations and exceptionsWCT Article 10, WPPT Article 16

• Technological measuresWCT Article 11, WPPT Article 18

• Rights Management InformationWCT Article 12, WPPT Article 19

WPPT Contracting Parties in Asia/Pacific region

• Australia on July 26, 2007• China on June 9, 2007• Indonesia on February 15, 2005• Japan on October 9, 2002• Mongolia on October 25, 2002• Philippines on October 4, 2002• Singapore on April 17, 2005

Countries having implemented WPPT in Asia,

without yet joining

• Bhutan• Brunei• Republic of Korea• Sri Lanka (?)• Malaysia (? regarding WCT)

Methods of Implementation

• Automatically through Constitution• Through explicit national

legislation– Early minimalist implementation– Detailed, negotiated implementation

Thank you

http://www.wipo.int/copyright