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The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Copyright Treaty (WCT) and WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT) (collectively referred to as the ¡§Internet Treaties¡¨) apply to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region with effect from today (October 1).
The Internet Treaties aim at updating and improving the protection of copyright and related rights in light of new digital technologies.
The copyright legislation in the HKSAR is fully in compliance with the international standards enshrined in the Internet Treaties. The exclusive rights given to the producers of phonograms under the HKSAR's copyright legislation in effect provides them with a higher level of protection when compared with the right to equitable remuneration laid down in the Internet Treaties.
To bring the HKSAR's copyright protection regime in line with the latest international standards that have emerged in light of new digital technologies, the few remaining requirements of the Internet Treaties (which are on performers¡¦ rights and rental rights) have been incorporated in the Copyright Ordinance under a major copyright law amendment exercise in 2007 and the relevant provisions came into effect on April 25, 2008.
The full text of the WCT and WPPT are available on the website of WIPO respectively at:
www.wipo.int/treaties/en/ip/wct/trtdocs_wo033.html
www.wipo.int/treaties/en/ip/wppt/trtdocs_wo034.html
Ends/Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Issued at HKT 09:00
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