The government today approved a proposal regarding accession to WIPO Copyright Treaty and WIPO Performers and Phonograms Treaty, which extends coverage of copyright to internet and digital environment.
"The cabinet in its meeting today has approved the proposal regarding accession to WIPO Copyright Treaty and WIPO Performers and Phonograms Treaty(WPPT)," IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters in a Cabinet briefings here.
The proposal was submitted by Commerce and Industry Ministry.
Both treaties provide framework for creators and right owners to use technical tools to protect their works and safeguard information about their use.
WIPO Copyright Treaty came in force on March 6, 2002 and has been adopted by 96 contracting parties till date and is a special agreement under Berne Convention (for protection of literary and artistic works).
It has provisions to extend the protection of copyrights contained therein to the digital environment. It also recognises the rights specific to digital environment, of making work available, to address "on-demand" and other interactive modes of access.
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WPPT came in force on May 20, 2002 and has 96 contracting parties as its members.
WPPT deals with rights of two kinds of beneficiaries, namely performers like actors, singers, musicians and others, producers of phonograms (sound recordings).
The treaty empowers right owners in their negotiations with new digital platforms and distributors. It recognises moral rights of performers for the first time and provides exclusive economic rights to them.
The approval is a step towards the objective of getting value for National Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) through commercialisation by providing guidance and support to EPR owners about commercial opportunities of e-commerce through internet and mobile platforms, Prasad said.
These treaties will help India enable creative right-holders enjoy the fruit of their labour, through international copyright system that can be used to secure a return on the investment made in producing and distributing creative works, the minister said.
The treaties will also facilitate international protection of domestic rights holder by providing them level-playing field in other countries as India already extends protection to foreign works through International Copyright order, Prasad said.
They will also enable Indian right holders to get reciprocal protection abroad and instill confidence and distribute creative works in digital environment with return on investment, the minister said.
The treaties would also spur business growth and contribute to the development of a vibrant creative economy and cultural landscape, Prasad said.
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