The European Union has ratified two WIPO treaties on the internet that govern how digital rights should be protected online.
The EU ratified the WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT) and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT) yesterday. The two treaties set out rules relating to distribution, rental, the right of public communication and the “making available” of protected content on the internet.
It is the first time that the EU has been accorded full contracting party status in the area of copyright and related rights.
In 2001, the EU adopted a European Copyright Directive which incorporates most of the provisions of the WIPO internet treaties concluded in 1996. All 27 member states have now implemented the directive.