EU Ratifies 'Internet Treaties'
U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk Monday praised the European Union for ratifying two treaties aimed at updating international copyright protections for the Internet age. The World Intellectual Property Organization's Copyright Treaty and the Performance and Phonograms Treaty, known as the "Internet treaties," clarified "exclusive rights and require signatories to provide effective legal remedies against the circumvention of certain technological measures that protect copyrighted works in online environments," according to the USTR. They went into force in 2002.
"We, as a group have shown our attachment to the international system of protection of copyright and related rights," EU Internal Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy said in a statement. "These two treaties brought protection up to speed with modern technologies. As the technological evolution accelerates, protecting creators and creative industries is more urgent than ever."
The EU and its member states' ratification Monday of the treaties brings the number of countries that have signed on to the Copyright Treaty to 88 and 86 for the Performances and Phonograms Treaty. "The EU's ratification of the WIPO Internet Treaties underscores the broad international commitment to combating piracy on the Internet," Kirk said. "We hope that other U.S. trading partners will also ratify and implement these important treaties."
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