The Internet Copyright Treaties refers to the two treaties adopted at a diplomatic conference in Geneva in 1966.This includes the (a) the WIPO Copyright Treaty(WCT) and the WIPO performance and Phonograms Treaty(WPPT) that came in to force on the 20th of May 2002.
The WCT protects authors, composers and creators of literature, art, films,software, music and creators of such creative works;The WPPT protects performers and producers of phonograms i.e. Music CD’s,cassettes and other sound recordings.
About 70 odd countries are signatories to this treaty having passed national legislation to implement it.
Strangely so, India with its repertoire of music , art and culture, not to mention the pulsating music industry that hold universal appeal has not acceded to the treaty as yet.
WIPO recently came knocking on Indian doors urging the country to join the elite list of nations that have signed the Internet Copyright Treaty.
Key Intent of this treaty is to protect copyright material over digital networks.In the age of rampant web piracy this legal safeguard assumes significant importance.
Director of Copyright Law at WIPO Jorgen Savy Blomqvist told PTI here:
India has got huge information, film and entertainment industries. For its own benefit, the country must become a signatory to the two treaties. It would ensure a strong protection about the use of creative works on the world wide web not only in that country but also abroad,”
With internet, web piracy is also fast gaining grounds in the world. As Indian products generate big money in that country and in the overseas, signing the treaties would ensure that producers of creative works in India get their fair share of income the products generate abroad, the Director said.
“It will provide an enormous boost to India’s cultural and creative industries. Through digital networks, that country’s music, art, literature, and folklore can reach new markets throughout the world, and be delivered directly to paying customers around the globe,” he said.
