Universal Copyright Convention

The Universal Copyright Convention (Universal Copyright Convention ) was adopted in Geneva on 6 September 1952. There should be a global system of protection of copyright and facilitate the dissemination of works of authorship. The signatory States undertook to adapt their own laws principles accordingly. The Agreement was last revised on July 24, 1971 in Paris.

Article II, paragraph 1 of the Convention states: " The published works of nationals of a Contracting State, and the first published in the territory of such a state of art enjoy in each other Contracting State the same protection as that other State published the first in its own territory granted works of its nationals. "

According to Article III shall be free Member States to provide for published works in their country and for published works of their citizens certain formalities for obtaining copyright protection, such as labeling, filing, registration, payment of fees and the like. For published works by foreign citizens abroad the formality is to be regarded as satisfied if the copyright symbol is marked with the copyright owner and the year of first publication to each workpiece at a suitable location. This is relevant for countries that do not the Berne Convention or the general Tariffs and Trade (GATT ) have joined with its TRIPS such as Cambodia, Iran, Iraq, Mozambique, Sierra Leone and before 1989, the United States.

Article IV provides for a minimum term of protection of the life of the artist and 25 years after his death. Is provided from the date of publication of a calculation when signing in a State, it must continue to exist and to be extended to other plant species, but must also have a minimum duration of 25 years. Is provided by the Member State for works of photography and the applied arts which protect, so they must be at least 10 years. In " simultaneous " ( within 30 days ) publication in several Member States, the shortest term of protection applies.

According to Article V of the protection also applies for permission and publication of translations. However, if passed seven years, and you have until then no translation permission or has the rights holder can not locate despite efforts can be in their own state to a non-exclusive license apply for the work to be translated into the local languages ​​and this is to be published in this State. In certain circumstances, may be introduced this translation to other countries in which the language is also common. A reasonable compensation must be guaranteed. Were from one plant all workpieces drawn by the author from the traffic, no license is granted.

When a country is recognized under the petition as a developing country, the period is reduced to three years; is the national language customary in any developed country, even to one year. However, these translations may then usually be brought into other countries in traffic and have to contain an appropriate endorsement, although there are exceptions. Here is an equitable remuneration to ensure. Bring the holder of the right of translation own version at a reasonable price out, so the production is set. It can also gratuitous translations of Education programs are made on the radio. (Art. Vbis and Art fathers ) In Article Vquater further options are provided if works are out of print and they are used for the systematic instruction.

In Protocol 1, the works of stateless persons and refugees to the State party be attributed to habitual residence. In Protocol 2, copyright protection is extended to works of the United Nations, its specialized agencies and the Organization of American States.

  • In the Federal Republic of Germany, the Agreement entered on 16 September 1955 in force ( Federal Law Gazette Part II/1955, pp. 101 ff.) The revision of 1971 on 10 July 1974 ( Federal Law Gazette Part II/1973, pp. 1111 et seq.)
  • The GDR joined the Universal Copyright Convention in in January 1974. ( Law Gazette II 1974, p 25 )
  • In Switzerland, the Agreement entered on 30 March 1956 in force the revision of 1971 on 21 September 1993.
  • In Austria, the version of 1952 came into force on 2 July 1957; the Act 1971 on 14 August 1982.

Between the countries of the Berne Union, the Universal Copyright Convention is not effective. Where a country after 1951 from the Berne Union, so works from this country are not protected within the Berne Union after the Universal Copyright Convention, except for countries which take the special provisions as a developing country to complete.

General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade Integrated Authority File
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