WIPO discusses future of copyright

Last week the WIPO Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) convened in Geneva. While no big decisions were made,  the committee  agreed to continue to discuss sensitive issues such as exceptions and limitations to copyright, a treaty on protection of broadcasters’ signals, and the protection of audiovisual performances. Important topics for further discussion were a possible treaty on copyright exceptions for the blind, and the possible return of a United States proposal to discuss protection for webcasters after a failure to agree on a draft treaty text in 2007.

Other agenda items were suggested during the week by the European Union but appeared to be left off the committee’s future agenda. These included artists’ resale rights, orphan works, collective rights management, and questions of applicable law.

Source: Intellectual Property Watch