17 July

WIPO AV Performances Treaty

WIPO AV Performances Treaty Concludes

As reported on the Australian Copyright Council:

After more than 12 years of negotiation, a new treaty which recognises the rights of audiovisual performers in their performances is set to become a reality.

During the World Intellectual Property Orgnisation (WIPO) Diplomatic Conference in Beijing this treaty was successfully finalised.

Australia was represented at the Conference by officials from the Attorney-General’s Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Representatives from the Screen Producers Association of Australia and the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (the union representing Australian actors) also attended the Conference.

The treaty will enter into force once it has been ratified by 30 members states. It is expected that the Australian Government will conduct a public consultation process to consider ratification of the treaty.

You can view WIPO’s press release and access the treaty text here:

http://wipo.int/pressroom/en/articles/2012/article_0013.html