IFPI Press Release, November 3, 1998

International Recording Industry Calls on Europe
to Match USA on Implementation of WIPO Treaties

London - November 3, 1998

IFPI, the organization representing the international recording industry, today praised the United States Congress for its farsighted action in passing the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. IFPI called on the European Union and governments worldwide to follow the US example by adopting legislation to ratify the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Treaties. The Treaties were concluded in 1996 and provide the crucial global framework for trade and investment in music works in the digital era.

The DCMA was signed by President Clinton on October 28. The Act guarantees important new rights to performers and producers of sound recordings, as well as to authors of copyrighted works generally, including the right to make sound recordings available by means of an interactive digital transmission, the right to protect copyrighted works through technical measures installed by authors and producers, and the right to protect the integrity of copyright management information transmitted in a digital environment.

In addition, the DCMA enacts into law an agreed settlement respecting liability of on-line intermediaries for copyright infringements initiated by the users of their systems.

The US, the world's largest recorded music market, has demonstrated that now is the time for applying the principles of copyright protection to the age of the Internet. Its action in ratifying the WIPO Treaties is certain to spur the development of safe, on-line commerce around the world and encourage other countries to ratify the treaties.

Fifty states have signed both WIPO treaties, yet only five states have so far ratified. IFPI urges the EU to move quickly to match the US in leading the development of electronic commerce in a responsible, legal and globally harmonized manner. IFPI also calls on the more than 100 other members of WIPO, including more than 20 European states outside the EU, to make ratification of the Treaties a top priority.

For further information contact:
Adrian Strain, Director of Communications
IFPI Tel: (44) 171 878 7900/39 Fax: (44) 171 878 7950
General e-mail: info@ifpi.org