COPYRIGHT : NEGOCIATIONS ON RIGHTS OF BROADCASTERS TO MOVE FORWARDS.

Negotiations on an international treaty updating the rights of broadcasters and cable distributors moved forward at a special session of the World Intellectual Property Organisation's (WIPO) Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR), held 17-19 January 2007. SCCR is responsible for the negotiations, which aim to create "an international system of protection for broadcasters," without however questioning the rights of copyright holders or related rights, or the obligation of broadcasters to recognise those rights.

In the session the Committee agreed that a revised version of the Chair's informal proposals would be prepared by May 1, 2007, with the understanding that member states may submit suggestions to the Chair.

"This is a very promising development as member states have established a clear process to address...