Subject: US ratifies WIPO Treaties
From: Barbara Schleihagen (Eblida@nblc.nl)
Date: to 23 syys 1999 - 17:44:25 EEST
Press Release PR/99/183
Geneva, September , September 14, 1999
WIPO WELCOMES U.S. RATIFICATION OF "INTERNET" TREATIES
The Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization
(WIPO), Dr. Kamil Idris, welcomed on Tuesday the ratification by the United
States of America of two WIPO treaties which establish the basic standards
of protection for copyright and related rights on the Internet and other
digital networks, the WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT) and the WIPO Performances
and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT).
"We are very pleased with this significant new development which signals
broader global acceptance of these important treaties" said Dr. Kamil
Idris, WIPO's Director General. He said "the United States of America plays
a leading role in promoting the use and developing the content of the
Internet and for that reason we are delighted that they have now ratified
the WCT and the WPPT".
The WIPO "Internet" treaties contain a general update of the legal
principles underpinning international protection of copyright and the
rights of performers and phonogram producers in cyberspace, more
particularly on the Internet. In addition, they clarify that national law
must prevent
unauthorised access to and use of creative works which, given the global
reach of the Internet, may be downloaded anywhere in the world at the push
of a button.
The WIPO "Internet" treaties were adopted in December 1996. At present,
nine countries (Belarus, Burkina Faso, El Salvador, Hungary, Indonesia,
Kyrgyzstan, Panama, the Republic of Moldova and the United States of
America) have ratified the WCT and seven countries (Belarus, Burkina Faso,
El Salvador, Hungary, Panama, the Republic of Moldova and the United States
of America) have ratified the WPPT. At least 30 states must adhere to each
of the treaties before they enter into force. Entry into force would herald
a new era in the protection of copyright and related rights on digital
networks.
Dr. Idris underlined the importance of these treaties, in particular in
light of the explosive growth in the number of Internet users worldwide and
the rapid expansion of electronic commerce in copyrighted works. "These
treaties will help to promote the quality of the content appearing on the
Internet as well as protecting the rights of holders of copyright and
related rights." The Director General urged other countries to speed up the
ratification process to ensure quick entry into force of these treaties.
For further information, please contact Media Relations & Public
Relations Section at WIPO:
Tel: (+41 22) 338 8161 or 338 95 47
Fax: (+41 22) 338 88 10
E-mail: publicinf@wipo.int
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