The world intellectual property organization copyright treaty, “WCT”

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Private Law Department, University of Tehran, Iran

2 Master of Copyright Law, University of Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The World Intellectual Property Organization Copyright Treaty (WCT) is an international treaty on copyright law adopted by the member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva on December 20, 1996. It provides additional protections for copyright deemed necessary due to advances in information technology since the formation of previous copyright treaties before it. For example, it ensures that computer programs are protected as literary works (Article 4) and that the arrangement and selection of material in databases is protected (Article 5). This treaty had several effects on ligestlation of the member states, for example: WCT is cause of adoption Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) in United States law. Whereas 89 states signed this treaty, but Iran isn’t yet member of this treaty as Bern Convention and Trips Agreement.

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