[A2k] ag-IP-news Agency: WIPO Member States Review Key Copyright Issues

[Manon Ress]

AGIPNEWS6508

http://www.ag-ip-news.com/GetArticle.asp?Art_ID=3D6508&lang=3Den

10/11/2008 13:15 GMT
ag-IP-news
WIPO Member States Review Key Copyright Issues

GENEVA - The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) member
states meeting under the auspices of the Standing Committee on
Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) met November 2-7 2008 to review a
number of key copyright issues, a press release by WIPO stated.

Under the chairmanship of Jukka Liedes of Finland, the SCCR examined
the current state of play WIPO=92s work on limitations and exceptions,
the protection of audiovisual performances and the protection of
broadcasting organizations.

Discussions also featured the question of access to copyright-
protected content by visually impaired persons.

A number of member states acknowledged the special needs of disabled
persons (including the blind, visually impaired and other reading-
disabled persons) and stressed the importance of addressing those needs.

The meeting also discussed the possible establishment of a
stakeholders=92 platform at WIPO, to facilitate secure access for
disabled persons to copyright-protected works.

Delegates also discussed the status of negotiations on the protection
of audiovisual performances. A diplomatic conference convened in 2000
which sought to update the rights of audiovisual performers at the
international level concluded with no agreement.

The SCCR decided to continue discussions on the protection of
broadcasting organizations with a view to concluding an international
instrument.  Progress has been made in boosting understanding of the
various stakeholder positions.

However, further work is required to achieve agreement on the
objectives, specific scope and object of protection of such an
instrument before convening a diplomatic conference to conclude a
treaty.

The SCCR agreed to continue its analysis of the matter and requested
that an information meeting be organized during the SCCR=92s next
session in May 2009. This information session would focus on the
current conditions within the broadcasting environment.