Copyright and the digital era

The international community adopted two new treaties in 1996 to bring copyright into the digital age, the WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT) and the Performers and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT). For the recording industry, the WPPT marked a watershed in the protection of sound recordings.

The WPPT provides protection against unauthorised reproduction, distribution, and rental of recorded music. Making sound recordings available and communicating them interactively over the Internet also requires the producer's consent. And technical measures applied to recordings to prevent unauthorised copying or use are protected against hacking.

Prompt ratification of these treaties is now the industry's highest legal priority. IFPI, working with local industry groups in Latin America, Asia and Africa, is actively encouraging governments to adopt the treaties as quickly as possible. In Europe, under the leadership of the IFPI European Office, the focus has been on encouraging governments to adopt strong protections for the creative industries in the Copyright and Related Rights Directive, which implements the treaties.

Thirty countries must ratify the treaties for them to enter into force. To date, 14 countries have ratified the WCT and 13 countries the WPPT. The text of these treaties and signatory countries can be found at the following sites:

WIPO Treaty Ratification / Deposit Status (February 24 2004)

The WIPO Treaties - Introduction
Reproduction Right
Communication Right
Technical Measures
Rights Management Information