IMPRESSIONS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT

SCENE

BRUSSELS-GENEVA-AMSTERDAM-OSLO

EU WIPO iViR KKD/

NRCCL

Background – EU – Development of the Internal Market (”level playing field”)

1987 - 1990 Preparations

1990- 2001 Decision –making

2001- 2007 Implementation /evaluation

2008 New initiatives

EU Copyright Directives

- 1987 Semiconductors 87 / 54 / EEC

- 1991 Protection of Computer Programs 91/250/EEC

- 1992 Rental right 2006/115/EC (92/100/EEC)

- 1993 Satellite and Cable 93/83/EE

- 1993 Term of Protection 2006/116/EC (93/98/EEC)

- 1996 Protection of Databases 96/9/EC

• 2001 Copyright in the Information Society 2001/29/EC

• 2002 Resale Right 2001 / 84 / EC

• 2004 Enforcement 2004 / 48 /EC

• 2005 Recommendation on rights management (18.10.2005)

WIPO / WTO

• 1980 – 1993 Discussions-Negotiations• 1994 WTO/ TRIPs (Berne + - moral rights ) Introduces tribunal system• 1996 WIPO Copyright Treaty ”Three-step-test” generally applicable 1996 WIPO - Performers/Producers of Phonograms TreatyLeft aside: Performers and producers of AV-material and sui generis protection of databases

• WCT/WPPT = International Copyright enters the digital area

• Introduces obligation to protect DRM and TPM

• The problem of ”trancient copies”• 2000 : A Diplomatic Conference on an

AV-treaty fails• 2007 :No agreement on broadcaster’s

rights

2001- 2008

• Growth of the Internet

• Increased number of NGO’s

• Widespread dissatisfaction on DRM –legislation among LDC´s /DC´s ( i.a.

Argentina,Chile,Brazil and India )

• Criticism of European/US legislation

Brussels presently

Report on implementation of ”Infosoc”-directive SEC(2007)1556

• IViR reports :

- Lack of harmonisation concerning exceptions

- DRM / TPM-articles difficult to understand

- Lack of guarantees for possibilities to take advantage of exceptions on the net

• ”No need for prolongation of the term of protection for performers/producers of phonograms”

• ”Creative content online” (COM (2007)836) : better interoperability, need for more material online, and fight against illegal file-sharing

• Ongoing debate in Council

EU-Commission´s follow-up(1)

• European Digital Library – and the need for clearing of rights – the ”orphan works” problem

• Copyright Green paper :Copyright in the Knowledge Economy” ( COM (2008) 466

-is the ”infosoc-approach” with it’s exhaustive list of possible exceptions still valid? Should some exceptions be compulsory? How to handle the orphan works?Compulsory exceptions to the benefit for the blind?

• New proposal: Prolongation of the term of protection of phonograms – 95 years a.f.

(2008/0157 (COD)

• Unified regulation of term of protection for ”co-written works”

• Commission (DG Competition) forbids part of the Cisac-agreement ( 16.07.2008)

GENEVA : FULL STOP – OR?

• Newly appointed Secretary General

• GSC - TK / GR / TCE (Folklore) – a not so rosy picture (i.a.lack of agreement on

definitions and objectives – but interesting legislative examples in a few Member States)

• SCC : Keeps possible treaty for AV producers and performers on the agenda, keep broadcasters rights on the agenda

• concentrates on discussion on exceptions and limitations

Development Agenda

Norm-setting activities shall- Be inclusive and member-driven- Take into account different levels of development- Take into consideration a balance of costs and benefits- Be a participatory process,which takes into consideration

the interests and priorities of all WIPO Member States and the viewpoints of other stakeholders,including accredited IGOs and NGOs; and

- Be in line with the principle of neutrality of the WIPO Secretariat

- How should the Agenda be interpreted ?

The near future …..

• WIPO : Constructive debates – no immediate results

• European Union : Amended term - of protection - directive

• Uncertain situation concerning rights management

• New Commission will define new priorities