Internet Piracy and the WIPO Internet Treaties
The increased availability of broadband Internet connections around the world has made the Internet an extremely efficient vehicle for disseminating pirated products. Internet piracy is a significant concern in a number of countries, including Canada, China, Sweden, Spain, and Russia, among others. In addition, unauthorized retransmission of live sports telecasts over the Internet is reportedly becoming an increasing problem internationally, particularly in China.
The United States is continuing to work with other governments, in consultation with U.S. copyright industries and other affected sectors, to develop strategies to address these global problems. An important first step was achieved in 1996 when WIPO concluded two copyright treaties, the WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT) and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT) (collectively, the "WIPO Internet Treaties"). Following their entry into force in 2002, these treaties have raised minimum standards of intellectual property protection around the world, particularly with regard to Internet-based delivery of copyrighted works. The WIPO Internet Treaties have clarified exclusive rights and prohibit the circumvention of certain technological measures that protect copyrighted works in on-line environments.
A growing number of countries are implementing the WIPO Internet Treaties to create a legal environment conducive to investment and growth in Internet-related businesses and technologies. As of April 2008, there are 64 members of the WCT and 62 members of the WPPT. China and Australia acceded to these treaties in 2007. Membership will rise significantly when the various EU Member States join. Other countries have implemented key provisions of the treaties in their national laws without formally ratifying them. As a new part of the international IPR legal regime, the WIPO Internet Treaties represent a majority world community view that the vital framework of protection under existing agreements, including the TRIPS Agreement, should be supplemented to eliminate any remaining gaps in copyright protection on the Internet that could impede the development of electronic commerce. The United States urges other governments to ratify and implement the WIPO Internet Treaties.
The United States is committed to a policy of promoting higher standards of intellectual property protection by incorporating standards from the WIPO Internet Treaties as substantive obligations in our bilateral and regional trade agreements, and by seeking accession to those treaties as a substantive obligation under these agreements.
Piracy using new technologies is an emerging problem internationally. For example, the U.S. copyright industries report growing problems with piracy not only on the Internet, but also using cellular telephones, palm devices, flash drives, and other mobile technologies. In some countries these devices are being pre-loaded with illegal content before they are sold. In addition to piracy of music and films using these new technologies, piracy of ring tones, games, telecasts, and scanned books also occurs. Countries with significant problems of piracy using new
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