The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is an international organization dedicated to promoting the use and protection of intellectual property works.

With headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, WIPO is one of the 16 specialized agencies of the United Nations' system of organizations. It administers 23 international treaties dealing with different aspects of intellectual property protection. The Organization counts 179 nations as member states.

FIAPF has Observer status with WIPO. At such, we are admitted to the meetings of the member States' Assemblies, where agendas are set and approved.

While the cornerstones of WIPO's treaty system remain the Paris and Berne Conventions, subsequent treaties have widened and deepened the protection they offer, and have encompassed technological change and new areas of interest and concern. Two recent examples are the WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT) and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT). These treaties contain basic rules updating the international protection of copyright and related rights to the Internet age. They came into force in 2002.

Work is continuing on this update, with a particular focus on audiovisual performers’ rights as well as broadcasters’ rights. Both issues are currently under discussion at bi-annual meetings of the Standing Committee on Copyright and Related rights.

Section Headings:

• Broadcasters’ Rights’ Treaty
  
  
• Audiovisual performers’ agenda
  
  
• Enforcement of Intellectual property rights
  
  
• Development Agenda

Pdf files’ inventory (headings only):

• FIAPF Briefing March 2008

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