Copyright Limitations and Exceptions
in International Treaties and Beyond:
Developing Countries and
Access to Knowledge
Geidy Lung, WIPO Copyright Law Division
Copyright limits
• Fundamental or constitutional rights
or public interest: freedom of speech,
information, education, culture
• Balance among rights and interest
International framework
Berne Convention (1886 - 1971)
Rome Convention (1961)
TRIPS Agreement (1994)
Internet Treaties: WCT y WPPT (1996)
Other treaties:
Phonograms and Satellites
Technological developments and
international treaties
Rome
1961
TRIPS
Berne
1967-1971
From the 70’s
1975
1990
”guided development"
WCT
WPPT
1994 1996
Internet boom
Reprography, videotechnology, casettes and compact discs,
satellite broadcasting, software, databases, cable television.
WCT and WPPT
Right of Reproduction
Rights for
transmissions
in interactive
digital networks
Management
rights information
Digital Agenda
Technological
Measures
of Protection
Limitations and
Exceptions
Copyright flexibilities
• Scope: ideas, theories, simple data
• Duration: 50 years, 25 years, 20 years
• Exclusion of some categories of works: Crown copyright
• Permitted uses without authorization and remuneration: fair use or
fair dealing
• Permitted uses by law with remuneration: mandatory or compulsory
licensing system
• Legislative options for Member States. Only one mandatory
exception
Analog different from digital?
• Whether new exceptions are needed
in the digital environment
• Whether existing exceptions from the
analog environment remain
appropriate in the digital environment,
or need to be restricted in some way in
that environment
The 3-step test
• Article 9(2) Berne Convention, Article 13 TRIPS
Agreement, Articles 10(2) WCT and 16(2) WPPT
– certain special cases
– do not conflict with normal exploitation
– do not prejudice the legitimate interests of
rightholders
• WTO Panel Decision, June 2000 (EU v. US)
playing of radio or television broadcasts of musical
works in certain bars, restaurants and other retail
establishments
WIPO’s work
• SCCR
– persons with
disabilities
– libraries
– educational activities
• CDIP
– public domain
– access to knowledge
and technology
– licensing practices
SCCR
• Studies on limitations and exceptions in the digital
environment
• Information meetings on digital content for the visually
impaired and educational uses
• Questionnaire on limitations and exceptions
• Analytical document
• Visually impaired: platform and treaty proposal
CDIP
• Workshops on digital preservation and
rights management information
• Scoping study on copyright and the public
domain
• Second survey on copyright voluntary
registration systems: orphan works
CDIP
• Survey of private copyright documentation
systems and practices
• Global Meeting on Emerging Licensing
Issues in the Copyright Area
• Research project on using copyright to
promote access to information and
creative content
Thank you
www.wipo.int/copyright