[Random-bits] International Federation of Journalists oppose WIPO Webcast Treaty

[James Love]

Negotiations on the Broadcast/webcast Treaty start Monday, May 1, in
Geneva.  In this release, the International Federation of Journalists
opposes a treaty on Webcasting, because it will undermine the rights
of authors.  Jamie

http://www.ifj.org/default.asp?Index=3D3861&Language=3DEN

IFJ Calls on WIPO to Celebrate World Intellectual Property Day by
Showing Strong Support for Authors=92 Rights

Press Release
26/04/2006

The International Federation of Journalists today called on the World
Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) to recognise on its World
Intellectual Property Day that it must protect the right of authors to
maintain moral and financial control of their work.

The IFJ is concerned about moves at WIPO to introduce protection for
webcasters=92 organizations in a broadcasting treaty proposal that it will
discuss next week in Geneva. The proposed regulation would challenge
creators=92 rights over the broadcasted content.

=93Webcasting is still developing and is a form of media still
unregulated, unlike traditional forms of broadcasting,=94 the IFJ said.
=93Although we welcome the development of new forms of communications over
the Internet, we fear that WIPO delegations could go too far and grant
webcasters rights over what they transmit that would deny journalists
the right to control the content they create.=94

The IFJ calls on WIPO to support safeguards that ensure authors=92 rights
receive strong protection everywhere in the world. These safeguards must
ensure good working conditions and remuneration for journalists
including when their work is being reused and protect the authenticity
and veracity of information.

=93We need to strike a balance between embracing new technological
developments in the media sector and ensuring strong authors=92 rights=92
protection,=94 the IFJ said. =93Today WIPO is calling attention to the
importance of intellectual property rights but it must first and
foremost support journalists, photographers and creators at large in the
fight to control and benefit from the works they produce.=94