US government throws its weight behind WIPO copyright standards

The US government has given its to backing two copyright standards developed by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).

The US Secretary of Commerce, William Daley, made the announcement during a keynote address at the International Conference on Electronic Commerce and Intellectual Property in Geneva yesterday.

The WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT) and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT) contain a general update of the legal principles underpinning international protection of copyright and the rights of performers and phonogram producers on the Internet. They also say that national law must prevent unauthorised access to and use of creative works which, given the global reach of the Net, may be downloaded anywhere.

Before the treaties come into full force, at least 30 countries must ratify them. At the moment, nine countries have ratified the WCT and seven the WPPT.