[A2k] WIPO Press release on SCCR recommendation for DipConf

[James Love]

--
[ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]


Begin forwarded message:

From: James Packard Love <james.love@cptech.org>
Date: September 14, 2006 9:52:23 AM EDT
To: james.love@cptech.org
Subject: [WIPO Casting Treaty] WIPO Press release on SCCR
recommendation for DipConf

Here is the rather straightforward WIPO press release.
------
Press Release 454

Geneva, September 14, 2006

NEGOTIATIONS ON THE PROTECTION OF BROADCASTING ORGANIZATIONS ENTERS
FINAL PHASE

A key committee of the World Intellectual Property Organization
(WIPO) agreed today to convene a diplomatic conference from July 11
to August 1, 2007 to update the rights of broadcasting organizations.
This recommendation is to be endorsed by the WIPO General Assembly
when it meets later this month. The objective of this diplomatic
conference, the last phase of treaty negotiations, is to conclude a
treaty on the protection of broadcasting organizations, including
cablecasting organizations.

A resolution adopted by the WIPO General Assembly in October 2005
scheduled two additional meetings of the Standing Committee on
Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) "to agree and finalize a Basic
Proposal for a treaty on the protection of the rights of broadcasting
organizations in order to enable the 2006 WIPO General Assembly to
recommend the convening of a Diplomatic Conference in December 2006
or at an appropriate date in 2007."

The SCCR agreed that a draft basic proposal presented at this week=92s
meeting would constitute the basis for negotiations at the diplomatic
conference with the understanding that member states may submit
proposals at that conference.

WIPO Director General, Dr. Kamil Idris, welcomed the positive outcome
of the meeting as well as the political will demonstrated by member
states to conclude the negotiations. He said "The positive spirit
that has characterized these discussions will further strengthen
consensus on these issues in the months leading up to the diplomatic
conference." Dr. Idris said "The success of this process hinges on
the continued inclusiveness of the debate which seeks to reach an
agreement that is balanced and serves the common interests of all
stakeholders."

The Committee also agreed, following endorsement of their
recommendation by the WIPO General Assembly, to convene a one day
preparatory committee in January 2007 to prepare the necessary
modalities of the diplomatic conference. The preparatory committee
considers the draft rules of procedure to be presented for adoption
to the diplomatic conference, the lists of states, as well as
intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to be invited to
participate in the conference as well as other organizational
matters. A special two-day meeting will be held in conjunction with
the preparatory meeting to further clarify outstanding issues.

Delegates also agreed that WIPO would organize, at the request of
member states, consultations and information meetings on matters
relating to the diplomatic conference. Such meetings would be hosted
by the inviting member state.

Discussions at this week=92s session (15th session) of the SCCR were
confined to the protection of traditional broadcasting organizations
and cablecasting. This followed a decision by the 14th session of the
SCCR from 1 to 5 May, 2006, to examine questions of webcasting and
simulcasting on a separate track following the forthcoming session of
the WIPO Assemblies meetings from 25 September to 3 October, 2006.

Updating the IP rights of broadcasters, currently provided by the
1961 Rome Convention on the Protection of Performers, Producers of
Phonograms and Broadcasting Organizations, began at WIPO in 1997. A
growing signal piracy problem in many parts of the world, including
piracy of digitized pre-broadcast signals, has made this need more
acute.

For further information please contact the Media Relations and Public
Affairs Section at:

Tel: (+41 22) - 338 81 61 or 338 95 47
Fax: (+41 22) - 338 88 10
Email: publicinf@wipo.int.

--
Posted by James Packard Love to WIPO Casting Treaty at 9/14/2006
06:50:00 AM

---------------------------------
James Love, CPTech / www.cptech.org / mailto:james.love@cptech.org /
tel. +1.202.332.2670 / mobile +1.202.361.3040

"If everyone thinks the same: No one thinks."  Bill Walton