Circular 38a
International Copyright Relations of the United States
TABLE OF CONTENTS
GENERAL INFORMATION
This circular sets forth U.S. copyright relations of current interest with the other independent nations
of the world. Each entry gives country name (and alternate name) and a statement of copyright relations.
The following code is used:
BAC |
Party to the Buenos Aires Convention of 1910, as of the date given. U.S. ratification deposited with the Government of Argentina, May 1, 1911; proclaimed by the President of the United States, July 13, 1914. |
Berne |
Party to the Berne
Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works as of the date given. Appearing within parentheses is the latest Act1 of the Convention to which the country is party. The effective date for the United States is March 1, 1989. The latest Act of the Convention, to which the United States is party, is the revision done at Paris on July 24, 1971. |
Bilateral |
Bilateral copyright relations with the United States by virtue of a proclamation or treaty, as of the date given. Where there is more than one proclamation or treaty, only the date of the first one is given. |
None |
No copyright relations with the United States. |
Phonograms |
Party to the Convention for the Protection of Producers of Phonograms Against Unauthorized Duplication of Their Phonograms, Geneva, 1971, as of the date given. The effective date for the United States is March 10, 1974. |
SAT |
Party to the Convention
Relating to the Distribution of PROGRAMME-Carrying Signals Transmitted
by Satellite, Brussels, 1974, as of the date given. The effective date
for the United States is March 7, 1985. |
UCC Geneva |
Party to the Universal
Copyright Convention, Geneva, 1952, as of the date given. The effective date for the United States is September 16, 1955. |
UCC Paris |
Party to the Universal
Copyright Convention as revised at Paris, 1971, as of the date given. The effective date for the United States is July 10, 1974. |
Unclear |
Became independent since 1943. Has not established copyright relations with the United States, but may be honoring obligations incurred under former political status. |
WCT |
Party to the World Intellectual Property Organization Copyright Treaty, Geneva, 1996, as of the date provided. The effective date for the United States is March 6, 2002, the date the treaty entered into force. |
WPPT |
Party to the World Intellectual Property Organization
Performances and Phonograms Treaty, Geneva, 1996, as of the date provided. The effective
date for the United States is May 20, 2002, the date the treaty entered
into force. |
WTO |
Member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), established pursuant to the Marrakesh Agreement of April 15, 1994, to implement the Uruguay Round Agreements. These Agreements affect, among other things, intangible property rights, including copyright and other intellectual property rights. The effective date of United States membership in the WTO is January 1, 1995. A country's membership in the WTO is effective as of the date indicated. |
RELATIONS AS OF JANUARY 2003
Afghanistan
None
Albania
Berne March 6, 1994 (Paris)1
WTO Sept. 8, 2000
WPPT May 20, 2002
Algeria
UCC Geneva Aug. 28, 1973
UCC Paris July 10, 1974
Berne April 19, 1998 (Paris)
Andorra
UCC Geneva Sept. 16, 1955
Angola
WTO Nov. 23, 1996
Antigua and Barbuda
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Berne March 17, 2000 (Paris)
Argentina
Bilateral Aug. 23, 1934
BAC April 19, 1950
UCC Geneva Feb. 13, 1958
Berne June 10, 1967 (Paris)2
Phonograms June 30, 19733
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
WCT March 6, 2002
WPPT May 20, 2002
Armenia17
UCC Geneva May 27, 1973
SAT Dec.13, 1993
Berne Oct. 19, 2000 (Paris)
Australia
Bilateral March 15, 1918
Berne April 14, 1928 (Paris)2
UCC Geneva May 1, 1969
Phonograms June 22, 1974
UCC Paris Feb. 28, 1978
SAT Oct. 26,1990
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Austria
Bilateral Sept. 20, 1907
Berne Oct. 1, 1920 (Paris)2
UCC Geneva July 2, 1957
SAT Aug. 6, 19824
UCC Paris Aug. 14, 1982
Phonograms Aug. 21, 1982
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Azerbaijan17
UCC Geneva May 27, 1973
Berne June 4, 1999 (Paris)
Phonograms Sept. 1, 2001
Bahamas, The
Berne July 10, 1973 (Brussels)
UCC Geneva Dec. 27, 1976
UCC Paris Dec. 27, 1976
|
Bahrain
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Berne March 2, 1997 (Paris)
Bangladesh
UCC Geneva Aug. 5, 1975
UCC Paris Aug. 5, 1975
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Berne May 4, 1999 (Paris)
Barbados
UCC Geneva June 18, 1983
UCC Paris June 18, 1983
Berne July 30, 1983 (Paris)2
Phonograms July 29, 1983
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Belarus17
UCC Geneva May 27, 1973
Berne Dec. 12, 1997 (Paris)
WCT March 6, 2002
WPPT May 20, 2002
Belgium
Berne Dec. 5, 1887 (Paris)2
Belize
UCC Geneva Dec. 1, 1982
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Berne June 17, 2000 (Paris)
Benin
Berne Jan. 3, 1961 (Paris)2
WTO Feb. 22, 1996
Bhutan
None
Bolivia
BAC May 15, 1914
UCC Geneva March 22, 1990
UCC Paris March 22, 1990
Berne Nov. 4, 1993 (Paris)
WTO Sept. 12, 1995
Bosnia and Herzegovina
UCC Geneva May 11, 1966
UCC Paris July 10, 1974
Berne March 1, 1992 (Paris)
SAT March 6, 1992
Botswana
WTO May 31, 1995
Berne April 15, 1998 (Paris)
Brazil
BAC Aug. 31, 1915
Berne Feb. 9, 1922 (Paris)2
Bilateral April 2, 1957
UCC Geneva Jan. 13, 1960
Phonograms Nov. 28, 1975
UCC Paris Dec. 11, 1975
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
|
Brunei
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Bulgaria
Berne Dec. 5, 1921 (Paris)2
UCC Geneva June 7, 1975
UCC Paris June 7, 1975
Phonograms Sept. 6, 1995
WTO Dec. 1, 1996
WCT March 6, 2002
WPPT May 20, 2002
Burkina Faso
Berne Aug. 19, 1963 (Paris)2
Phonograms Jan. 30, 1988
WTO June 3, 1995
WCT March 6, 2002
WPPT May 20, 2002
Burundi
WTO July 23, 1995
Cambodia
UCC Geneva Sept. 16, 1955
Cameroon
Berne Sept. 21, 1964 (Paris)2
UCC Geneva May 1, 1973
UCC Paris July 10, 1974
WTO Dec. 13, 1995
Canada
Bilateral Jan. 1, 1924
Berne April 10, 1928 (Paris)2
UCC Geneva Aug. 10, 1962
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Cape Verde
Berne July 7, 1997 (Paris)
Central African Republic
Berne Sept. 3, 1977 (Paris)2
WTO May 31, 1995
Chad
Berne Nov. 25, 1971 (Brussels)2
WTO Oct. 19, 1996
Chile
Bilateral May 25, 1896
BAC June 14, 1955
UCC Geneva Sept. 16, 1955
Berne June 5, 1970 (Paris)2
Phonograms March 24, 1977
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
WCT March 6, 2002
WPPT May 20, 2002
China
Bilateral Jan. 13, 19045
Bilateral March 17, 19929
Berne Oct. 15, 1992 (Paris)
UCC Geneva Oct. 30, 1992
UCC Paris Oct. 30, 1992
Phonograms April 30, 1993
WTO Dec. 22, 2001
|
|
Chinese Taipei
WTO Jan. 1, 2002
Colombia
BAC Dec. 23, 1936
UCC Geneva June 18, 1976
UCC Paris June 18, 1976
Berne March 7, 1988 (Paris)2
Phonograms May 16, 1994
WTO April 30, 1995
WCT March 6, 2002
WPPT May 20, 2002
Comoros
Unclear
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Berne Oct. 8, 1963 (Paris)2
Phonograms Nov. 29, 1977
WTO Jan. 1, 1997
Congo, Republic of the
Berne May 8, 1962 (Paris)2
WTO March 27, 1997
Costa Rica6
Bilateral Oct. 19, 1899
BAC Nov. 30, 1916
UCC Geneva Sept. 16, 1955
Berne June 10, 1978 (Paris)2
UCC Paris March 7, 1980
Phonograms June 17, 1982
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
SAT June 25, 1999
WCT March 6, 2002
WPPT May 20, 2002
Cote d'Ivoire
Berne Jan. 1, 1962 (Paris)2
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Croatia
UCC Geneva May 11, 1966
UCC Paris July 10, 1974
Berne Oct. 8, 1991 (Paris)2
SAT Oct. 8, 1991
Phonograms April 20, 2000
WTO Nov. 30, 2000
WCT March 6, 2002
WPPT May 20, 2002
Cuba
Bilateral Nov. 17, 1903
UCC Geneva June 18, 1957
WTO April 20, 1995
Berne Feb. 20, 1997 (Paris)
Cyprus
Berne Feb. 24, 1964 (Paris)2
UCC Geneva Dec. 19, 1990
UCC Paris Dec. 19,1990
Phonograms Sept. 30, 1993
WTO July 30, 1995
|
Czech Republic
UCC Geneva Jan. 6, 1960
UCC Paris April 17, 1980
Berne Jan. 1, 1993 (Paris)
Phonograms Jan. 1, 1993
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
WCT March 6, 2002
WPPT May 20, 2002
Denmark
Bilateral May 8, 1893
Berne July 1, 1903 (Paris)2
UCC Geneva Feb. 9, 1962
Phonograms March 24, 1977
UCC Paris July 11, 1979
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Djibouti
WTO May 31, 1995
Berne May 13, 2002 (Paris)
Dominica
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Berne Aug. 7, 1999 (Paris)
Dominican Republic6
BAC Oct. 31, 1912
UCC Geneva May 8, 1983
UCC Paris May 8, 1983
WTO March 9, 1995
Berne Dec. 24, 1997 (Paris)
Ecuador
BAC Aug. 31, 1914
UCC Geneva June 5, 1957
Phonograms Sept. 14, 1974
UCC Paris Sept. 6, 1991
Berne Oct. 9, 1991 (Paris)
WTO Jan. 21, 1996
WCT March 6, 2002
WPPT May 20, 2002
Egypt
Berne June 7, 1977 (Paris)2
Phonograms April 23, 1978
WTO June 30, 1995
El Salvador
Bilateral June 30, 1908, by virtue of
Mexico City Convention, 1902
Phonograms Feb. 9, 1979
UCC Geneva March 29, 1979
UCC Paris March 29, 1979
Berne Feb. 19, 1994 (Paris)
WTO May 7, 1995
WCT March 6, 2002
WPPT May 20, 2002
Equatorial Guinea
Berne June 26, 1997 (Paris)
Estonia
Berne Oct. 26, 1994 (Paris)
WTO Nov. 13, 1999
Phonograms May 28, 2000
|
Ethiopia
None
European Community
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Fiji
Berne Dec.1, 1971 (Brussels)2
UCC Geneva March 13, 1972
Phonograms April. 18, 19733
WTO Jan. 14, 1996
Finland
Berne April 1, 1928 (Paris)2
Bilateral Jan. 1, 1929
UCC Geneva April 16, 1963
Phonograms April 18, 19733
UCC Paris Nov. 1, 1986
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
France
Berne Dec. 5, 1887 (Paris)2
Bilateral July 1, 189114
UCC Geneva Jan. 14, 1956
Phonograms April 18, 19733
UCC Paris July 10, 1974
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Gabon
Berne March 26, 1962 (Paris)2
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
WCT March 6, 2002
WPPT May 20, 2002
Gambia, The
Berne March 7, 1993 (Paris)
WTO Oct. 23, 1996
Georgia17
UCC Geneva May 27, 1973
Berne May 16, 1995 (Paris)
WTO June 14, 2000
WCT March 6, 2002
WPPT May 20, 2002
Germany10,15
Berne Dec. 5, 1887 (Paris)2,7
Bilateral April 15, 1892
UCC Geneva Sept. 16, 1955
Bilateral July 12, 196715
Phonograms May 18, 1974
UCC Paris July 10, 1974
SAT Aug. 25, 19794
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Ghana
UCC Geneva Aug. 22, 1962
Berne Oct. 11, 1991 (Paris)
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Greece
Berne Nov. 9, 1920 (Paris)2
Bilateral March 1, 1932
UCC Geneva Aug. 24, 1963
SAT Oct. 22, 1991
Phonograms Feb. 9, 1994
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
|
|
Grenada
WTO Feb. 22, 1996
Berne Sept. 22, 1998 (Paris)
Guatemala6
BAC March 28, 1913
UCC Geneva Oct. 28, 1964
Phonograms Feb. 1, 1977
WTO July 21, 1995
Berne July 28, 1997 (Paris)
WCT Feb. 4, 2003
WPPT Jan. 8, 2003
Guinea
Berne Nov. 20, 1980 (Paris)2
UCC Geneva Nov. 13, 1981
UCC Paris Nov. 13, 1981
WTO Oct. 25, 1995
WCT May 25, 2002
WPPT May 25, 2002
Guinea-Bissau
Berne July 22, 1991 (Paris)
WTO May 31, 1995
Guyana
Berne Oct. 25, 1994 (Paris)
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Haiti
BAC Nov. 27, 1919
UCC Geneva Sept. 16, 1955
Berne Jan. 11, 1996 (Paris)
WTO Jan. 30, 1996
Honduras6
BAC April 27, 1914
Berne Jan. 25,1990 (Paris)
Phonograms March 6, 1990
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
WCT May 20, 2002
WPPT May 20, 2002
Hong Kong12
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Berne July 1, 1997 (Paris)
Phonograms July 1, 1997
Hungary
Bilateral Oct. 16, 1912
Berne Feb. 14, 1922 (Paris)2
UCC Geneva Jan. 23, 1971
UCC Paris July 10, 1974
Phonograms May 28, 1975
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
WCT March 6, 2002
WPPT May 20, 2002
Iceland
Berne Sept. 7, 1947 (Rome)2
UCC Geneva Dec. 18, 1956
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
|
India
Berne April 1, 1928 (Paris)2
Bilateral Aug. 15, 1947
UCC Geneva Jan. 21, 1958
Phonograms Feb. 12, 1975
UCC Paris April 7, 1988
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Indonesia
Bilateral Aug. 1, 1989
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Berne Sept. 5, 1997 (Paris)
WCT March 6, 2002
Iran
None
Iraq
None
Ireland
Berne Oct. 5, 1927 (Brussels)2
Bilateral Oct. 1, 1929
UCC Geneva Jan. 20, 1959
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Israel
Bilateral May 15, 1948
Berne March 24, 1950 (Brussels)2
UCC Geneva Sept. 16, 1955
Phonograms May 1, 1978
WTO April 21, 1995
Italy
Berne Dec. 5, 1887 (Paris)2
Bilateral Oct. 31, 1892
UCC Geneva Jan. 24, 1957
Phonograms March 24, 1977
UCC Paris Jan. 25, 1980
SAT July 7, 19814
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Jamaica
Berne Jan. 1, 1994 (Paris)
Phonograms Jan. 11, 1994
WTO March 9, 1995
SAT Jan. 12, 2000
WCT June 12, 2002
WPPT June 12, 2002
Japan8
Berne July 15, 1899 (Paris)2
UCC Geneva April 28, 1956
UCC Paris Oct. 21, 1977
Phonograms Oct. 14, 1978
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
WCT March 6, 2002
WPPT Oct. 9, 2002
Jordan
Berne July 28, 1999 (Paris)
WTO April 11, 2000
Bilateral Dec. 17, 200116
|
Kazakhstan17
UCC Geneva May 27, 1973
Berne April 12, 1999 (Paris)
Phonograms Aug. 3, 2001
Kenya
UCC Geneva Sept. 7, 1966
UCC Paris July 10, 1974
Phonograms April 21, 1976
SAT Aug. 25, 19794
Berne June 11, 1993 (Paris)
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Kiribati
Unclear
Korea, North
Unclear
Korea, South
UCC Geneva Oct. 1, 1987
UCC Paris Oct. 1, 1987
Phonograms Oct. 10, 1987
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Berne Aug. 21, 1996 (Paris)
Kuwait
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Kyrgyz Republic17
UCC Geneva May 27, 1973
WTO Dec. 20, 1998
Berne July 8, 1999 (Paris)
WCT March 6, 2002
WPPT Aug. 15, 2002
Phonograms Oct. 12, 2002
Laos
UCC Geneva Sept. 16, 1955
Latvia
Berne Aug. 11, 1995 (Paris)
Phonograms Aug. 23, 1997
WTO Feb. 10, 1999
WCT March 6, 2002
WPPT May 20, 2002
Lebanon
Berne Sept. 30, 1947 (Rome)2
UCC Geneva Oct. 17, 1959
Lesotho
Berne Sept. 28, 1989 (Paris)
WTO May 31, 1995
Liberia
UCC Geneva July 27, 1956
Berne March 8, 1989 (Paris)
Libya
Berne Sept. 28, 1976 (Paris)2
Liechtenstein
Berne July 30, 1931 (Paris)2
UCC Geneva Jan. 22, 1959
WTO Sept. 1, 1995
Phonograms Oct. 12, 1999
UCC Paris Nov. 11, 1999
|
|
Lithuania
Berne Dec. 14, 1994 (Paris)
Phonograms Jan. 27, 2000
WTO May 31, 2001
WCT March 6, 2002
WPPT May 20, 2002
Luxembourg
Berne June 20, 1888 (Paris)2
Bilateral June 29, 1910
UCC Geneva Oct. 15, 1955
Phonograms March 8, 1976
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Macau
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Berne Dec. 20, 1999 (Paris)
Macedonia
Berne Sept. 8, 1991 (Paris)
SAT Nov. 17, 1991
UCC Geneva July 30, 1997
UCC Paris July 30, 1997
Phonograms March 2, 1998
Madagascar
Berne Jan. 1, 1966 (Brussels)2
WTO Nov. 17, 1995
Malawi
UCC Geneva Oct. 26, 1965
Berne Oct. 12, 1991 (Paris)
WTO May 31, 1995
Malaysia
Berne Oct. 1, 1990 (Paris)
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Maldives
WTO May 31, 1995
Mali
Berne March 19, 1962 (Paris)2
WTO May 31, 1995
WCT April 24, 2002
WPPT May 20, 2002
Malta
Berne Sept. 21, 1964 (Rome)2
UCC Geneva Nov. 19, 1968
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Mauritania
Berne Feb. 6, 1973 (Paris)2
WTO May 31, 1995
Mauritius
UCC Geneva March 12, 1968
Berne May 10, 1989 (Paris)
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
|
Mexico
Bilateral Feb. 27, 1896
UCC Geneva May 12, 1957
BAC April 24, 1964
Berne June 11, 1967 (Paris)2
Phonograms Dec. 21, 19733
UCC Paris Oct. 31, 1975
SAT Aug. 25, 19794
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
WCT March 6, 2002
WPPT May 20, 2002
Moldova17
UCC Geneva May 27, 1973
Berne Nov. 2, 1995 (Paris)
Phonograms July 17, 2000
WTO July 26, 2001
WCT March 6, 2002
WPPT May 20, 2002
Monaco
Berne May 30, 1889 (Paris)2
Bilateral Oct. 15, 1952
UCC Geneva Sept. 16, 1955
Phonograms Dec. 2, 1974
UCC Paris Dec. 13, 1974
Mongolia
WTO Jan. 29, 1997
Berne March 12, 1998 (Paris)
WCT Oct. 25, 2002
WPPT Oct. 25, 2002
Morocco
Berne June 16, 1917 (Paris)2
UCC Geneva May 8, 1972
UCC Paris Jan. 28, 1976
SAT June 30, 19834
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Mozambique
WTO Aug. 26, 1995
Myanmar, Union of
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Namibia
Berne March 21, 1990 (Paris)
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Nauru
Unclear
Nepal
None
Netherlands and Possessions
Bilateral Nov. 20, 1899
Berne Nov. 1, 1912 (Paris)2
UCC Geneva June 22, 1967
UCC Paris Nov. 30, 1985
Phonograms Oct. 12, 1993
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
|
New Zealand
Bilateral Dec. 1, 1916
Berne April 24, 1928 (Rome)2
UCC Geneva Sept. 11, 1964
Phonograms Aug. 13, 1976
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Nicaragua6
BAC Dec. 15, 1913
UCC Geneva Aug. 16, 1961
SAT Aug. 25, 19794
WTO Sept. 3, 1995
Phonograms Aug. 10, 2000
Berne Aug. 23, 2000 (Paris)
WCT March 6, 2003
WPPT March 6, 2003
Niger
Berne May 2, 1962 (Paris)2
UCC Geneva May 15, 1989
UCC Paris May 15, 1989
WTO Dec. 13, 1996
Nigeria
UCC Geneva Feb. 14, 1962
Berne Sept. 14, 1993 (Paris)
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Norway
Berne April 13, 1896 (Paris)2
Bilateral July 1, 1905
UCC Geneva Jan. 23, 1963
UCC Paris Aug. 7, 1974
Phonograms Aug. 1, 1978
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Oman
Berne July 14, 1999 (Paris)
WTO Nov. 9, 2000
Pakistan
Berne July 5, 1948 (Rome)2
UCC Geneva Sept. 16, 1955
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Palau
Unclear
Panama
BAC Nov. 25, 1913
UCC Geneva Oct. 17, 1962
Phonograms June 29, 1974
UCC Paris Sept. 3, 1980
SAT Sept. 25, 1985
Berne June 8, 1996 (Paris)
WTO Sept. 6, 1997
WCT March 6, 2002
WPPT May 20, 2002
Papua New Guinea
WTO June 9, 1996
|
|
Paraguay
BAC Sept. 20, 1917
UCC Geneva March 11, 1962
Phonograms Feb. 13, 1979
Berne Jan. 2, 1992 (Paris)
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
WCT March 6, 2002
WPPT May 20, 2002
Peru
BAC April 30, 1920
UCC Geneva Oct. 16, 1963
UCC Paris July 22, 1985
SAT Aug. 7, 1985
Phonograms Aug. 24, 1985
Berne Aug. 20, 1988 (Paris)2
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
WCT March 6, 2002
WPPT July 18, 2002
Philippines
Bilateral Oct. 21, 1948
Berne Aug. 1, 1951 (Paris)2
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
WCT Oct. 4, 2002
WPPT Oct. 4, 2002
Poland
Berne Jan. 28, 1920 (Paris)2
Bilateral Feb. 16, 1927
UCC Geneva March 9, 1977
UCC Paris March 9, 1977
WTO July 1, 1995
Portugal
Bilateral July 20, 1893
Berne March 29, 1911 (Paris)2
UCC Geneva Dec. 25, 1956
UCC Paris July 30, 1981
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
SAT March 11, 1996
Qatar
WTO Jan. 13, 1996
Berne July 5, 2000 (Paris)
Romania
Berne Jan. 1, 1927 (Paris)2
Bilateral May 14, 1928
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Phonograms Oct. 1, 1998
WCT March 6, 2002
WPPT May 20, 2002
Russia17
UCC Geneva May 27, 1973
SAT Dec. 25, 1991
UCC Paris March 9, 1995
Berne March 13, 1995 (Paris)
Phonograms March 13, 1995
|
Rwanda
Berne March 1, 1984 (Paris)2
UCC Geneva Nov. 10, 1989
UCC Paris Nov. 10, 1989
WTO May 22, 1996
St. Kitts and Nevis
Berne April 9, 1995 (Paris)2
WTO Feb. 21, 1996
Saint Lucia
Berne Aug. 24, 1993 (Paris)2
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Phonograms April 2, 2001
WCT March 6, 2002
WPPT May 20, 2002
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
UCC Geneva April 22, 1985
UCC Paris April 22, 1985
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Berne Aug. 29, 1995 (Paris)
San Marino
None
São Tomé and Principe
Unclear
Saudi Arabia
UCC Geneva July 13, 1994
UCC Paris July 13, 1994
Senegal
Berne Aug. 25, 1962 (Paris)2
UCC Geneva July 9, 1974
UCC Paris July 10, 1974
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
WCT May 18, 2002
WPPT May 20, 2002
Serbia and Montenegro
Berne June 17, 1930 (Paris)2
UCC Geneva May 11, 1966
UCC Paris July 10, 1974
SAT Aug. 25, 19794
Seychelles
Unclear
Sierra Leone
WTO July 23, 1995
Singapore
Bilateral May 18, 1987
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Berne Dec. 21, 1998 (Paris)
Slovakia
UCC Geneva Jan. 6, 1960
UCC Paris April 17, 1980
Berne Jan. 1, 1993 (Paris)2
Phonograms Jan. 1, 1993
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
WCT March 6, 2002
WPPT May 20, 2002
|
Slovenia
UCC Geneva May 11, 1966
UCC Paris July 10, 1974
Berne June 25, 1991 (Paris)2
SAT June 25, 1991
WTO July 30, 1995
Phonograms Oct. 15, 1996
WCT March 6, 2002
WPPT May 20, 2002
Solomon Islands
WTO July 26, 1996
Somalia
Unclear
South Africa
Bilateral July 1, 1924
Berne Oct. 3, 1928 (Brussels)2
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Spain
Berne Dec. 5, 1887 (Paris)2
Bilateral July 10, 1895
UCC Geneva Sept. 16, 1955
UCC Paris July 10, 1974
Phonograms Aug. 24, 1974
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Sri Lanka
Berne July 20, 1959 (Rome)2
UCC Geneva Jan. 25, 1984
UCC Paris Jan. 25, 1984
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Sudan
Berne Dec. 28, 2000 (Paris)
Suriname
Berne Feb. 23, 1977 (Paris)2
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Swaziland
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Berne Dec. 14, 1998 (Paris)
Sweden
Berne Aug. 1, 1904 (Paris)2
Bilateral June 1, 1911
UCC Geneva July 1, 1961
Phonograms April 18, 19733
UCC Paris July 10, 1974
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Switzerland
Berne Dec. 5, 1887 (Paris)2
Bilateral July 1, 189114
UCC Geneva March 30, 1956
UCC Paris Sept. 21, 1993
SAT Sept. 24, 1993
Phonograms Sept. 30, 1993
WTO July 1, 1995
Syria
Unclear
|
|
Tajikistan17
UCC Geneva May 27, 1973
Berne March 9, 2000 (Paris)
Tanzania
Berne July 25, 1994 (Paris)
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Thailand
Bilateral Sept. 1, 1921
Berne July 17, 1931 (Paris)2
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Togo
Berne April 30, 1975 (Paris)2
WTO May 31, 1995
Tonga
Berne June 14, 2001 (Paris)
Trinidad and Tobago
Berne Aug. 16, 1988 (Paris)2
UCC Geneva Aug. 19, 1988
UCC Paris Aug. 19, 1988
Phonograms Oct. 1, 1988
WTO March 1, 1995
SAT Nov. 1, 1996
Tunisia
Berne Dec. 5, 1887 (Paris)2
UCC Geneva June 19, 1969
UCC Paris June 10, 1975
WTO March 29, 1995
Turkey
Berne Jan. 1, 1952 (Paris)2
WTO March 26, 1995
|
Turkmenistan17
UCC Geneva May 27, 1973
Tuvalu
Unclear
Uganda
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Ukraine17
UCC Geneva May 27, 1973
Berne Oct. 25, 1995 (Paris)
Phonograms Feb. 18, 2000
WCT March 6, 2002
WPPT May 20, 2002
United Arab Emirates
WTO April 10, 1996
United Kingdom
Berne Dec. 5, 1887 (Paris)2
Bilateral July 1, 189114
UCC Geneva Sept. 27, 1957
Phonograms April 18, 19733
UCC Paris July 10, 1974
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Uruguay
BAC Dec. 17, 1919
Berne July 10, 1967 (Paris)2
Phonograms Jan. 18, 1983
UCC Geneva April 12, 1993
UCC Paris April 12, 1993
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Uzbekistan17
UCC Geneva May 27, 1973
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Vanuatu
Unclear
Vatican City
Berne Sept. 12, 1935 (Paris)2
UCC Geneva Oct. 5, 1955
Phonograms July 18, 1977
UCC Paris May 6, 1980
Venezuela
UCC Geneva Sept. 30, 1966
Phonograms Nov. 18, 1982
Berne Dec. 30, 1982 (Paris)2
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
UCC Paris Feb. 11, 1997
Vietnam
Bilateral Dec. 23, 199813
Bilateral Dec. 10, 2001
Yemen
Unclear
Zambia
UCC Geneva June 1, 1965
Berne Jan. 2, 1992 (Paris)2
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Zimbabwe
Berne April 18, 1980 (Rome)2
WTO March 5, 1995
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STATUTORY PROVISIONS
Reprinted below is section 104 of title 17 of the United States Code, as of March 1, 2003.
§ 104. Subject matter of copyright: National origin
- Unpublished Works.-The works specified by sections 102 and 103, while unpublished, are subject to protection under this title without regard to the nationality or domicile of the author.
- Published Works. The works specified by sections 102 and 103, when published, are subject to protection under this title if-
- on the date of first publication, one or more of the authors is a national or domiciliary of the United States, or is a national, domiciliary, or sovereign authority of a treaty party, or is a stateless person, wherever that person may be domiciled; or
- the work is first published in the United States or in a foreign nation that, on the date of first publication, is a treaty party; or
- the work is a sound recording that was first fixed in a treaty party; or
- the work is a pictorial, graphic, or sculptural work that is incorporated in a building or other structure, or an architectural work that is embodied in a building and the building or structure is located in the United States or a treaty party; or
- the work is first published by the United Nations or any of its specialized agencies, or by the Organization of American States; or
- the work comes within the scope of a Presidential proclamation. Whenever the President finds that a particular foreign nation extends, to works by authors who are nationals or domiciliaries of the United States or to works that are first published in the United States, copyright protection on substantially the same basis as that on which the foreign nation extends protection to works of its own nationals and domiciliaries and works first published in that nation, the President may by proclamation extend protection under this title to works of which one or more of the authors is, on the date of first publication, a national, domiciliary, or sovereign authority of that nation, or which was first published in that nation. The President may revise, suspend, or revoke any such proclamation or impose any conditions or limitations on protection under a proclamation.
For purposes of paragraph (2), a work that is published in the United States or a treaty party within 30 days after publication in a foreign nation that is not a treaty party shall be considered to be first published in the United States or such treaty party, as the case may be.
- Effect of Berne Convention. No right or interest in a work eligible for protection under this title may be claimed by virtue of, or in reliance upon, the provisions of the Berne Convention, or the adherence of the United States thereto. Any rights in a work eligible for protection under this title that derive from this title, other Federal or State statutes, or the common law, shall not be expanded or reduced by virtue of, or in reliance upon, the provisions of the Berne Convention, or the adherence of the United States thereto.
- Effect of Phonograms Treaties.-Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b), no works other than sound recordings shall be eligible for protection under this title solely by virtue of the adherence of the United States to the Geneva Phonograms Convention or the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty.
SOME POINTS TO REMEMBER REGARDING THE INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION OF LITERARY AND ARTISTIC WORKS
There is no such thing as an "international copyright" that
will automatically protect an author's writings throughout the
world. Protection against unauthorized use in a particular
country basically depends on the national laws of that country.
However, most countries offer protection to foreign
works under certain conditions that have been greatly simplified
by international copyright treaties and conventions.
There are two principal international copyright conventions,
the Berne Union for the Protection of Literary and Artistic
Property (Berne Convention) and the Universal Copyright
Convention (UCC).
An author who wishes copyright protection for his or her
work in a particular country should first determine the extent
of the protection available to works of foreign authors in that
country. If possible, this should be done before the work is
published anywhere, because protection may depend on
the facts existing at the time of first publication.
If the country in which protection is sought is a party to
one of the international copyright conventions, the work
generally may be protected by complying with the conditions
of that convention. Even if the work cannot be brought under
an international convention, protection under the specific
provisions of the country's national laws may still be
possible. There are, however, some countries that offer little
or no copyright protection to any foreign works. For current
information on the requirements and protection provided by
other countries, it may be advisable to consult an expert
familiar with foreign copyright laws. The U.S. Copyright Office
is not permitted to recommend agents or attorneys or to
give legal advice on foreign laws.
FOOTNOTES
1 "Paris" means the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works as revised at Paris on July 24, 1971 (Paris Act)
"Stockholm" means the said Convention as revised at Stockholm on July 14, 1967 (Stockholm Act) "Brussels" means the said Convention as revised at Brussels on June 26, 1948 (Brussels Act) "Rome" means the said Convention as revised at Rome on June 2, 1928 (Rome Act)
"Berlin" means the said Convention as revised at Berlin on Nov. 13, 1908 (Berlin Act).
NOTE: In each case the reference to Act signifies adherence to the substantive provisions of such Act only, e.g., Articles 1 to 21 and the Appendix of the Paris Act. Articles 22 to 38 deal with administration and structure.
2 The Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works of Sept. 9, 1886, as revised at Paris on July 24, 1971, did not enter into force with respect to the United States until March 1, 1989.
3 The Convention for the Protection of Producers of Phonograms Against Unauthorized Duplication of Their Phonograms done at Geneva on Oct. 29, 1971, did not enter into force with respect to the United States until March 10, 1974.
4 The Convention Relating to the Distribution of Programme-Carrying Signals Transmitted by Satellite done at Brussels on May 21, 1974, did not enter into force with respect to the United States until March 7, 1985.
5 The government of the People's Republic of China views this treaty as not binding on the PRC. In the territory administered by the authorities on Taiwan the treaty is considered to be in force.
6 This country became a party to the Mexico City Convention, 1902, effective June 30, 1908, to which the United States also became a party, effective on the same date. As regards copyright relations with the United States, this Convention is considered to have been superseded by adherence of this country and the United States to the Buenos Aires Convention of 1910.
7 Date on which the accession by the German Empire became effective.
8 Bilateral copyright relations between Japan and the United States, which were formulated effective May 10, 1906, are considered to have been abrogated and superseded by the adherence of Japan to the UCC Geneva, effective April 28, 1956.
9 Bilateral copyright relations between the People's Republic of China and the United States of America were established, effective March 17, 1992, by a Presidential Proclamation of the same date, under the authority of section 104 of title 17 of the United States Code, as amended by the Act of Oct. 31, 1988 (Public Law 100-568, 102 Stat. 2853, 2855).
10 The dates of adherence by Germany to multilateral treaties include adherence by the Federal Republic of Germany when that country was divided into the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic. However, through the accession, effective Oct. 3, 1990, of the German Democratic Republic to the Federal Republic of Germany, in accordance with the German Unification Treaty of Aug. 31, 1990, the German Democratic Republic ceased, on the said date, to be a sovereign state. Previously, the German Democratic Republic had become party to the Paris Act of the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works on Feb. 18, 1978, but ceased to be a party to the said Convention on Oct. 3, 1990. The German Democratic Republic had also been a member of the Universal Copyright Convention, having become party to the Geneva text of the said Convention on Oct. 5, 1973, and party to the revised Paris text of the same Convention on Dec. 10, 1980.
11 See also Czech Republic and Slovakia.
12 Prior to the return of Hong Kong to China, bilateral copyright relations existed with Hong Kong through the United Kingdom (from Aug. 1, 1973), and Phonogram Convention Membership existed through the United Kingdom (from March 4, 1975).
13 Bilateral copyright relations between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the United States were established effective December 23, 1998, by Presidential Proclamation No. 7161 of that same date, at 63 Fed. Reg. 71571 (1998), under the authority of sections 104(b)(5) and 104A(g) of title 17 of the United States Code, as amended.
14 Bilateral copyright relations between the United States and Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland were established effective July 1, 1891, by Presidential Proclamation No. 3. of that same date, at 27 Stat. 981 (1891), under the authority of The Chase Act of 1891.
15 Bilateral copyright relations between the United States and Germany were established effective July 12, 1967, by Presidential Proclamation No. 3792 of that same date, at 32 Fed. Reg. 10341, under the authority of Copyright Act of 1909 amended at 55 Stat. 732.
16 Bilateral copyright relations between Jordan and the United States were established pursuant to the Agreement between the United States of America and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on the Establishment of a Free Trade Area, signed Oct. 24, 2000, and effective Dec. 17, 2001.
17 Each of the following Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan (but notthe CIS countries Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia) is a successor state to the Soviet Union's copyright treaty obligations, in particular, the obligations under the UCC Geneva, and accordingly is a member of the UCC Geneva effective May 27, 1973, the date the Soviet Union became a party. The successor status in each case was confirmed in a bilateral trade agreement between each of these countries and the United States, effective in each case on the date set forth below. Note that the successor status is consistent with the treatment by UNESCO (secretariat for the UCC) of these countries. The effective dates of the bilateral agreements with the United States confirming the successor status are as follows:
Azerbaijan (April 21, 1995)
Belarus (Feb. 16, 1993)
Georgia (Aug. 13, 1993)
Kazakhstan (Feb. 18, 1993)
Kyrgyz Republic (Aug. 21, 1992)
Moldova (July 2, 1992)
Russia (June 17, 1992)
Tajikistan (Nov. 24, 1993)
Turkmenistan (Oct. 25, 1993)
Ukraine (June 23, 1992)
Uzbekistan (Jan. 13, 1994)
Revised June 2004
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