$WCT The WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT) is a special agreement under the Berne Convention that addresses copyright protection in the digital environment. It focuses on protecting computer programs and databases, and it grants authors certain economic rights beyond those recognized by the Berne Convention.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Purpose:
The WCT aims to update copyright law to address the challenges and opportunities presented by the digital environment.
Scope:
It covers computer programs, regardless of the form of expression, and compilations of data or other materials (databases).
Key Provisions:
Relation to Berne Convention: The WCT is a special agreement within the Berne Convention for countries that are part of the Berne Union.
Economic Rights: It grants authors specific economic rights, such as the right of distribution and the right of communication to the public.
Technological Measures: It includes provisions on obligations concerning technological measures that protect copyrighted works.
Rights Management Information: It also addresses obligations related to rights management information.
Limitations and Exceptions: The treaty includes limitations and exceptions to copyright protection.
Key Articles:
Article 4: Deals with the protection of computer programs.
Article 5: Deals with the protection of compilations of data (databases).
Article 6: Deals with the right of distribution.
Article 8: Deals with the right of communication to the public.
Article 11: Deals with obligations concerning technological measures.
Article 12: Deals with obligations concerning rights management information.
Relationship to other treaties:
The WCT does not affect obligations under other treaties, nor does it have any connection with treaties other than the Berne Convention.