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- Presentations on Informative Sessions on Limitations and Exceptions:
Events:
- Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights, Seventeeth Session (Geneva, November 3 to 7, 2008)
- Conference on Collective Management of Copyright and Related Rights in Europe (Brussels, Belgium, November 24 to 25, 2008)
Copyright and Related Rights
Disclaimer: The attention of the Secretariat of WIPO has been drawn to the fact that certain organizations issue certificates purporting to grant copyright protection. It should be noted that these certificates do not create any right. The Secretariat recalls that, by virtue of the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, works are protected without any formality in all the countries party to that Convention. This means that international copyright protection is automatic, it exists as soon as a work is created, and this principle applies in all the countries party to the Berne Convention.
Recently published documents and studies:
- SCCR/17 Conclusions [PDF]
- Draft report sixteenth session (SCCR/16/3)
- WIPO Treaty on the Protection of Broadcasting Organizations
- Informative Sessions on Limitations and Exceptions and on Audiovisual Performances - Provisional Program
- Limitations and Exceptions in the Digital Environment
- Automated Rights Management Systems and Copyright Limitations and Exceptions
- Limitations and Exceptions for the Visually Impaired
- Limitations and Exceptions for Libraries and Archives
- Summary regarding the Protection of Audiovisual Performances and Stocktaking of Positions
- [More information available under Information Resources or Meetings]
Copyright and related rights are legal concepts and instruments which, while respecting and protecting the rights of creators in their works, also contribute to the cultural and economic development of nations. Copyright law fulfills a decisive role in articulating the contributions and rights of the different stakeholders taking part in the cultural industries and the relation between them and the public.
WIPO, through its Copyright and Related Rights Sector, is committed to that crucial role. The Sector works currently on the development of international norms and standards in the area of copyright. It works closely with the Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights, which is presently discussing the updating of the international protection of broadcasting organizations, as well as the possible introduction of international protection of non-original databases, which presently do not qualify for protection under copyright law.
In addition, the Copyright and Related Rights Sector actively promotes the WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT) and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT), known together as the "WIPO Internet Treaties", by arranging meetings and seminars and providing speakers for other meetings arranged by WIPO. These treaties are part of the WIPO Digital Agenda, which sets out a series of guidelines and goals for WIPO in seeking to develop practical solutions to the challenges raised by the impact of new technologies on intellectual property rights.
This site provides information concerning past and upcoming meetings organized by WIPO in the field of copyright and related rights, and provides a comprehensive archive of information resources (including documents, reports, studies and guides), resulting from WIPO's activities in these areas. The site also links to the WIPO Electronic Bookshop and other WIPO activities related to copyright, which are described under "Related Links".
