International
Copyright Relations of
the United States
This publication sets forth United States copyright relations of current interest
with the other independent nations of the world.
There is no such thing as an “international copyright” that will automatically
protect an author’s writings throughout the world. Protection against unauthorized
use in a particular country depends on the national laws of that
country. However, most countries offer protection to foreign works under certain
conditions that have been greatly simplified by international copyright
treaties and conventions. There are several such treaties and conventions affecting
copyright, including the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary
and Artistic Works; the Universal Copyright Convention; the World Intellectual
Property Organization (
WIPO) Copyright Treaty; the WIPO Performances and
Phonograms Treaty; and the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual
Property Rights, one of several agreements that together led to the creation of
the World Trade Organization on January 1, 1995.
An author who wants copyright protection for his or her work in a particular
country should first determine the extent of the protection available to works
of foreign authors in that country. If possible, this should be done before the
work is published anywhere, because protection may depend on the facts existing
at the time of first publication.
If the country in which protection is sought is a party to one of the international
copyright conventions, the work generally can be protected by complying
with the conditions of that convention. Even if the work cannot be brought
under an international convention, protection under the specific provisions
of the country’s national laws may still be possible. There are, however, some
countries that offer little or no copyright protection to any foreign works. For
current information on the requirements of and protection provided by other
countries, it may be advisable to consult an expert familiar with foreign copyright
laws. The
U. S. Copyright Office is not permitted to recommend agents or
attorneys or to give legal advice on foreign laws.
Relations as of September 2010
This publication documents the countries that are parties to specific multilateral
agreements or bilateral relationships. The relevant agreements are listed below,
along with their abbreviations. A list of countries follows. The list indicates which
agreements each country has signed and the date each agreement took effect.
International Copyright Relations of the United States · 2
Agreements
BAC ・
Buenos Aires Convention of 1910. U. S. ratification
deposited with the government of Argentina, May 1, 1911;
proclaimed by the president of the United States, July 13,
1914.
Berne ・
Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary
and Artistic Works. Appearing within parentheses in the
country listing that follows is the latest act of the convention
to which the country is party. Thus “Berne (Paris)” means the
Berne Convention as revised at Paris on July 24, 1971 (Paris
Act). “Berne (Brussels)” means the convention as revised
at Brussels on June 26, 1948. “Berne (Rome)” means the
convention as revised at Rome on June 2, 1928 (Rome Act).
Other acts of the convention were revised at Stockholm on
July 14, 1967, and at Berlin on Nov. 13, 1908. In each case, a
reference to a particular act signifies adherence only to the
substantive provisions of the act—for example, to articles 1
to 21 and the appendix of the Paris Act; articles 22 to 38 deal
with administration and structure. The effective date for U.S.
adherence to the Berne Convention is Mar. 1, 1989. The latest
act of the convention to which the United States is party is
the revision done at Paris on July 24, 1971.
Bilateral ・
Bilateral copyright relations with the United
States by virtue of a proclamation or treaty. Where there is
more than one proclamation or treaty, only the date of the
first one is given.
None ・
No copyright relations with the United States.
Phonograms ・
Convention for the Protection of Producers
of Phonograms Against Unauthorized Duplication of Their
Phonograms, Geneva, 1971. The effective date for the United
States is Mar. 10, 1974.
SAT ・
Convention Relating to the Distribution of
Programme-Carrying Signals Transmitted by Satellite,
Brussels, 1974. The effective date for the United States is
Mar. 7, 1985.
UCC Geneva ・
Universal Copyright Convention, Geneva,
1952. The effective date for the United States is Sept. 16, 1955,
the date the treaty entered into force.
UCC Paris ・
Universal Copyright Convention as revised at
Paris, 1971. The effective date for the United States is July 10,
1974, the date the treaty entered into force.
Unclear ・
Has not established copyright relations with the
United States but may be honoring obligations incurred
under former political status.
WCT ・
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
Copyright Treaty, Geneva, 1996. The effective date for the
United States is Mar. 6, 2002, the date the treaty entered into
force.
WPPT ・
WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty,
Geneva, 1996. The effective date for the United States is May
20, 2002, the date the treaty entered into force.
WTO ・
World Trade Organization (WTO), established pursuant
to the Marrakesh Agreement of Apr. 15, 1994, to implement
the Uruguay Round Agreements. These agreements,
which include the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects
of Intellectual Property Rights, affect, among other things,
intangible property rights, including copyright and other
intellectual property rights. The effective date of United
States membership in the WTO is Jan. 1, 1995.
Countries
Afghanistan ・
None
Albania ・
Berne (Paris) Mar. 6, 1994; WTO Sept. 8, 2000;
Phonograms
June 26, 2001; WPPT May 20, 2002; UCC
Geneva
Feb. 4, 2004; UCC Paris Feb. 4, 2004; WCT Aug. 6, 2005
Algeria ・
UCC Geneva Aug. 28, 1973; UCC Paris July 10,
1974;
Berne (Paris) Apr. 19, 1998
Andorra ・
UCC Geneva Sept. 16, 1955; Berne (Paris)
June 2, 2004
Angola ・
WTO Nov. 23, 1996
Antigua and Barbuda ・
WTO Jan. 1, 1995; Berne (Paris)
Mar. 17, 2000
Argentina ・
Bilateral Aug. 23, 1934; BAC Apr. 19, 1950; UCC
Geneva
Feb. 13, 1958; Berne (Paris) June 10, 1967; Phonograms
June 30, 1973;
WTO Jan. 1, 1995; WCT Mar. 6, 2002; WPPT
May 20, 2002
Armenia ・
SAT Dec. 13, 1993; Berne (Paris) Oct. 19, 2000;
Phonograms
Jan. 31, 2003; WTO Feb. 5, 2003; WCT Mar. 6,
2005;
WPPT Mar. 6, 2005
Australia ・
Bilateral Mar. 15, 1918; Berne (Paris) Apr. 14,
1928;
UCC Geneva May 1, 1969; Phonograms June 22, 1974;
UCC Paris
Feb. 29, 1978; SAT Oct. 26, 1990; WTO Jan. 1, 1995;
Bilateral
Jan. 1, 20051; WCT July 26, 2007; WPPT July 26, 2007
Austria ・
Bilateral Sept. 20, 1907; Berne (Paris) Oct. 1, 1920;
UCC Geneva
July 2, 1957; SAT Aug. 6, 1982; UCC Paris Aug.
14, 1982;
Phonograms Aug. 21, 1982; WTO Jan. 1, 1995; WCT
Mar. 14, 2010;
WPPT Mar. 14, 2010
International Copyright Relations of the United States · 3
Azerbaijan
2 ・ UCC Geneva Apr. 7, 1997; Berne (Paris) June
4, 1999;
Phonograms Sept. 1, 2001; WCT Apr. 11, 2006; WPPT
Apr. 11, 2006
Bahamas ・
Berne (Brussels) July 10, 1973; UCC Geneva July
13, 1976;
UCC Paris Dec. 27, 1976
Bahrain ・
WTO Jan. 1, 1995; Berne (Paris) Mar. 2, 1997; WCT
Dec. 15, 2005;
WPPT Dec. 15, 2005; Bilateral Aug. 1, 2006;
SAT
May 1, 2007
Bangladesh ・
UCC Geneva Aug. 5, 1975; UCC Paris Aug. 5,
1975;
WTO Jan. 1, 1995; Berne (Paris) May 4, 1999
Barbados ・
UCC Geneva June 18, 1983; UCC Paris June 18,
1983;
Berne (Paris) July 30, 1983; Phonograms July 29, 1983;
WTO
Jan. 1, 1995
Belarus
2 ・ UCC Geneva Mar. 29, 1994; Berne (Paris) Dec. 12,
1997;
WCT Mar. 6, 2002; WPPT May 20, 2002; Phonograms
Apr. 17, 2003
Belgium ・
Berne (Paris) Dec. 5, 1887; Bilateral July 1, 18913;
UCC Geneva
Aug. 31, 1960; WTO Jan. 1, 1995; WCT Aug. 30,
2006;
WPPT Aug. 30, 2006
Belize ・
UCC Geneva Dec. 1, 1982; WTO Jan. 1, 1995; Berne
(Paris)
June 17, 2000
Benin ・
Berne (Paris) Jan. 3, 1961; WTO Feb. 22, 1996; WCT
Apr. 16, 2006;
WPPT Apr. 16, 2006
Bhutan ・
Berne (Paris) Nov. 25, 2004
Bolivia ・
BAC May 15, 1914; UCC Geneva Mar. 22, 1990;
UCC Paris
Mar. 22, 1990; Berne (Paris) Nov. 4, 1993; WTO
Sept. 12, 1995
Bosnia and Herzegovina ・
Berne (Paris) Mar. 1, 1992; UCC
Geneva
July 12, 1993; UCC Paris July 12, 1993; SAT Jan. 12,
1994;
Phonograms May 25, 2009; WCT Nov. 25, 2009; WPPT
Nov. 25, 2009
Botswana ・
WTO May 31, 1995; Berne (Paris) Apr. 15, 1998;
WCT
Jan. 27, 2005; WPPT Jan. 27, 2005
Brazil ・
BAC Aug. 31, 1915; Berne (Paris) Feb. 9, 1922;
Bilateral
Apr. 2, 1957; UCC Geneva Jan. 13, 1960; Phonograms
Nov. 28, 1975;
UCC Paris Dec. 11, 1975; WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Brunei ・
WTO Jan. 1, 1995; Berne (Paris) Aug. 30, 2006
Bulgaria ・
Berne (Paris) Dec. 5, 1921; UCC Geneva June 7,
1975;
UCC Paris June 7, 1975; Phonograms Sept. 6, 1995; WTO
Dec. 1, 1996;
WCT Mar. 6, 2002; WPPT May 20, 2002
Burkina Faso ・
Berne (Paris) Aug. 19, 1963; Phonograms Jan.
30, 1988;
WTO June 3, 1995; WCT Mar. 6, 2002; WPPT May
20, 2002
Burundi ・
WTO July 23, 1995
Cambodia ・
UCC Geneva Sept. 16, 1955; WTO Oct. 13, 2004
Cameroon ・
Berne (Paris) Sept. 21, 1964; UCC Geneva May 1,
1973;
UCC Paris July 10, 1974; WTO Dec. 13, 1995
Canada ・
Bilateral Jan. 1, 1924; Berne (Paris) Apr. 10, 1928;
UCC Geneva
Aug. 10, 1962; WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Cape Verde ・E
Berne (Paris) July 7, 1997; WTO July 23, 2008
Central African Republic ・
Berne (Paris) Sept. 3, 1977; WTO
May 31, 1995
Chad ・
Berne (Brussels/Stockholm) Nov. 25, 1971; WTO
Oct. 19, 1996
Chile ・
Bilateral May 25, 1896; BAC June 14, 1955; UCC
Geneva
Sept. 16, 1955; Berne (Paris) June 5, 1970; Phonograms
Mar. 24, 1977;
WTO Jan. 1, 1995; WCT Mar. 6, 2002; WPPT
May 20, 2002;
Bilateral Jan. 1, 2004⁴
China ・
Bilateral Jan. 13, 1904⁵; Bilateral Nov. 30, 1948;
Bilateral
Mar. 17, 1992⁶; Berne (Paris) Oct. 15, 1992; UCC
Geneva
Oct. 30, 1992; UCC Paris Oct. 30, 1992; Phonograms
Apr. 30, 1993;
WTO Dec. 11, 2001; WCT June 9, 2007; WPPT
June 9, 2007
Chinese Taipei (Taiwan)
⁵ ・ WTO Jan. 1, 2002
Colombia ・
BAC Dec. 23, 1936; UCC Geneva June 18, 1976;
UCC Paris
June 18, 1976; Berne (Paris) Mar. 7, 1988;
Phonograms
May 16, 1994; WTO Apr. 30, 1995; WCT Mar. 6,
2002;
WPPT May 20, 2002
Comoros ・
Berne (Paris) Apr. 17, 2005
Congo, Democratic Republic of the ・
Berne (Paris) Oct. 8,
1963;
WTO Jan. 1, 1997; Phonograms Nov. 29, 1977
Congo, Republic of the ・
Berne (Paris) May 8, 1962; WTO
Mar. 27, 1997
Costa Rica
⁷ ・ Bilateral Oct. 19, 1899; BAC Nov. 30, 1916; UCC
Geneva
Sept. 16, 1955; Berne (Paris) June 10, 1978; UCC Paris
Mar. 7, 1980;
Phonograms June 17, 1982; WTO Jan. 1, 1995;
SAT
June 25, 1999; WCT Mar. 6, 2002; WPPT May 20, 2002;
Bilateral
Jan. 1, 2009⁸
Cote d’Ivoire ・
Berne (Paris) Jan. 1, 1962; WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Croatia ・
Berne (Paris) Oct. 8, 1991; UCC Paris July 6, 1992;
UCC Geneva
July 6, 1992; SAT July 26, 1993; Phonograms Apr.
20, 2000;
WTO Nov. 30, 2000; WCT Mar. 6, 2002; WPPT
May 20, 2002
International Copyright Relations of the United States · 4
Cuba ・
Bilateral Nov. 17, 1903; BAC May 28, 1913; UCC
Geneva
June 18, 1957; WTO Apr. 20, 1995; Berne (Paris) Feb.
20, 1997
Cyprus ・
Berne (Paris) Feb. 24, 1964; UCC Geneva Dec. 19,
1990;
UCC Paris Dec. 19, 1990; Phonograms Sept. 30, 1993;
WTO
July 30, 1995; WCT Nov. 4, 2003; WPPT Dec. 2, 2005
Czech Republic ・
Berne (Paris) Jan. 1, 1993; Phonograms Jan. 1,
1993;
UCC Geneva Mar. 26, 1993; UCC Paris Mar. 26, 1993;
WTO
Jan. 1, 1995; WCT Mar. 6, 2002; WPPT May 20, 2002
Denmark ・
Bilateral May 8, 1893; Berne (Paris) July 1, 1903;
UCC Geneva
Feb. 9, 1962; Phonograms Mar. 24, 1977; UCC
Paris
July 11, 1979; WTO Jan. 1, 1995; WCT Mar. 14, 2010;
WPPT
Mar. 14, 2010
Djibouti ・
WTO May 31, 1995; Berne (Paris) May 13, 2002
Dominica ・
WTO Jan. 1, 1995; Berne (Paris) Aug. 7, 1999
Dominican Republic
⁷ ・ BAC Oct. 31, 1912; UCC Geneva May
8, 1983;
UCC Paris May 8, 1983; WTO Mar. 9, 1995; Berne
(Paris)
Dec. 24, 1997; WCT Jan. 10, 2006; WPPT Jan. 10,
2006;
Bilateral Jan. 1, 2007⁸
Ecuador ・
BAC Aug. 31, 1914; UCC Geneva June 5, 1957;
Phonograms
Sept. 14, 1974; UCC Paris Sept. 6, 1991; Berne
(Paris)
Oct. 9, 1991; WTO Jan. 21, 1996; WCT Mar. 6, 2002;
WPPT
May 20, 2002
Egypt ・
Berne (Paris) June 7, 1977; Phonograms Apr. 23, 1978;
WTO
June 30, 1995
El Salvador ・
Bilateral June 30, 1908⁹; Phonograms Feb. 9,
1979;
UCC Geneva Mar. 29, 1979; UCC Paris Mar. 29, 1979;
Berne (Paris)
Feb. 19, 1994; WTO May 7, 1995; WCT Mar. 6,
2002;
WPPT May 20, 2002; Bilateral Mar. 1, 2006⁸; SAT July
22, 2008
Equatorial Guinea ・
Berne (Paris) June 26, 1997
Eritrea ・
None
Estonia ・
Berne (Paris) Oct. 26, 1994; WTO Nov. 13, 1999;
Phonograms
May 28, 2000; WCT Mar. 14, 2010; WPPT Mar.
14, 2010
Ethiopia ・
None
European Community ・
WTO Jan. 1, 1995; WCT Mar. 14,
2010;
WPPT Mar. 14, 2010
Fiji ・
Berne (Brussels) Dec. 1, 1971; UCC Geneva Dec. 13, 1971;
Phonograms
Apr. 18, 1973; WTO Jan. 14, 1996
Finland ・
Berne (Paris) Apr. 1, 1928; Bilateral Jan. 1, 1929;
UCC Geneva
Apr. 16, 1963; Phonograms Apr. 18, 1973; UCC
Paris
Nov. 1, 1986; WTO Jan. 1, 1995; WCT Mar. 14, 2010;
WPPT
Mar. 14, 2010
France ・
Berne (Paris) Dec. 5, 1887; Bilateral July 1, 18913;
UCC Geneva
Jan. 14, 1956; Phonograms Apr. 18, 1973; UCC
Paris
July 10, 1974; WTO Jan. 1, 1995; WCT Mar. 14, 2010;
WPPT
Mar. 14, 2010
Gabon ・
Berne (Paris) Mar. 26, 1962; WTO Jan. 1, 1995; WCT
Mar. 6, 2002;
WPPT May 20, 2002
Gambia ・
Berne (Paris) Mar. 7, 1993; WTO Oct. 23, 1996
Georgia ・
Berne (Paris) May 16, 1995; WTO June 14, 2000;
WCT
Mar. 6, 2002; WPPT May 20, 2002
Germany
1⁰ ・ Berne (Paris) Dec. 5, 188711; Bilateral Apr. 15,
1892;
UCC Geneva Sept. 16, 1955; Bilateral July 12, 196712;
Phonograms
May 18, 1974; UCC Paris July 10, 1974; SAT Aug.
25, 1979;
WTO Jan. 1, 1995; WCT Mar. 14, 2010; WPPT Mar.
14, 2010
Ghana ・
UCC Geneva Aug. 22, 1962; Berne (Paris) Oct. 11,
1991;
WTO Jan. 1, 1995; WCT Nov. 18, 2006
Greece ・
Berne (Paris) Nov. 9, 1920; Bilateral Mar. 1, 1932;
UCC Geneva
Aug. 24, 1963; SAT Oct. 22, 1991; Phonograms
Feb. 9, 1994;
WTO Jan. 1, 1995; WCT Mar. 14, 2010; WPPT
Mar. 14, 2010
Grenada ・
WTO Feb. 22, 1996; Berne (Paris) Sept. 22, 1998
Guatemala
⁷ ・ BAC Mar. 28, 1913; UCC Geneva Oct. 28,
1964;
Phonograms Feb. 1, 1977; WTO July 21, 1995; Berne
(Paris)
July 28, 1997; WPPT Jan. 8, 2003; WCT Feb. 4, 2003;
Bilateral
July 1, 2006⁸
Guinea ・
Berne (Paris) Nov. 20, 1980; UCC Geneva Nov. 13,
1981;
UCC Paris Nov. 13, 1981; WTO Oct. 25, 1995; WCT May
25, 2002;
WPPT May 25, 2002
Guinea-Bissau ・
Berne (Paris) July 22, 1991; WTO May 31, 1995
Guyana ・
Berne (Paris) Oct. 25, 1994; WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Haiti ・
BAC Nov. 27, 1919; UCC Geneva Sept. 16, 1955; Berne
(Paris)
Jan. 11, 1996; WTO Jan. 30, 1996
Holy See ・
Berne (Paris) Sept. 12, 1935; UCC Geneva Oct. 5,
1955;
Phonograms July 18, 1977; UCC Paris May 6, 1980
Honduras
⁷ ・ BAC Apr. 27, 1914; Berne (Paris) Jan. 25, 1990;
Phonograms
Mar. 6, 1990; WTO Jan. 1, 1995; WCT May 20,
2002 ;
WPPT May 20, 2002; Bilateral Apr. 1, 2006⁸; SAT Apr.
7, 2008
Hong Kong
13 ・ WTO Jan. 1, 1995; Berne (Paris) July 1, 1997;
Phonograms
July 1, 1997
International Copyright Relations of the United States · 5
Hungary ・
Bilateral Oct. 16, 1912; Berne (Paris) Feb. 14,
1922;
UCC Geneva Jan. 23, 1971; UCC Paris July 10, 1974;
Phonograms
May 28, 1975; WTO Jan. 1, 1995; WCT Mar. 6,
2002;
WPPT May 20, 2002
Iceland ・
Berne (Paris) Sept. 7, 1947; UCC Geneva Dec. 18,
1956;
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
India ・
Berne (Paris) Apr. 1, 1928; Bilateral Aug. 15, 1947;
UCC Geneva
Jan. 21, 1958; Phonograms Feb. 12, 1975; UCC
Paris
Apr. 7, 1988; WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Indonesia ・
Bilateral Aug. 1, 1989; WTO Jan. 1, 1995; Berne
(Paris)
Sept. 5, 1997; WCT Mar. 6, 2002; WPPT Feb. 15, 2005
Iran ・
None
Iraq ・
None
Ireland ・
Berne (Paris) Oct. 5, 1927; Bilateral Oct. 1, 1929;
UCC Geneva
Jan. 20, 1959; WTO Jan. 1, 1995; WCT Mar. 14,
2010;
WPPT Mar. 14, 2010
Israel ・
Bilateral May 15, 1948; Berne (Paris) Mar. 24, 1950;
UCC Geneva
Sept. 16, 1955; Phonograms May 1, 1978; Bilateral
Sept. 1, 1985;
WTO Apr. 21, 1995
Italy ・
Berne (Paris) Dec. 5, 1887; Bilateral Oct. 31, 1892;
Bilateral
May 1, 1915; UCC Geneva Jan. 24, 1957; Phonograms
Mar. 24, 1977;
UCC Paris Jan. 25, 1980; SAT July 7, 1981; WTO
Jan. 1, 1995;
WCT Mar. 14, 2010; WPPT Mar. 14, 2010
Jamaica ・
Berne (Paris) Jan. 1, 1994; Phonograms Jan. 11,
1994;
WTO Mar. 9, 1995; SAT Jan. 12, 2000; WCT June 12,
2002;
WPPT June 12, 2002
Japan
1⁴ ・ Berne (Paris) July 15, 1899; Bilateral May 10,
1906;
UCC Geneva Apr. 28, 1956; UCC Paris Oct. 21, 1977;
Phonograms
Oct. 14, 1978; WTO Jan. 1, 1995; WCT Mar. 6,
2002;
WPPT Oct. 9, 2002
Jordan ・
Berne (Paris) July 28, 1999; WTO Apr. 11, 2000;
Bilateral
Dec. 17, 20011⁵; WCT Apr. 27, 2004; WPPT May
24, 2004
Kazakhstan
2 ・ UCC Geneva Aug. 6, 1992; Berne (Paris)
Apr. 12, 1999;
Phonograms Aug. 3, 2001; WCT Nov. 12, 2004;
WPPT
Nov. 12, 2004
Kenya ・
UCC Geneva Sept. 7, 1966; UCC Paris July 10, 1974;
Phonograms
Apr. 21, 1976; SAT Aug. 25, 1979; Berne (Paris)
June 11, 1993;
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Kiribati ・
Unclear
Korea, North ・
Berne (Paris) Apr. 28, 2003
Korea, South ・
UCC Geneva Oct. 1, 1987; UCC Paris Oct.
1, 1987;
Phonograms Oct. 10, 1987; WTO Jan. 1, 1995; Berne
(Paris)
Aug. 21, 1996; WCT June 24, 2004; WPPT Mar. 18, 2009
Kuwait ・
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Kyrgyz Republic ・
WTO Dec. 20, 1998; Berne (Paris) July 8,
1999;
WCT Mar. 6, 2002; WPPT Aug. 15, 2002; Phonograms
Oct. 12, 2002
Laos ・
UCC Geneva Sept. 16, 1955
Latvia ・
Berne (Paris) Aug. 11, 1995; Phonograms Aug. 23, 1997;
WTO
Feb. 10, 1999; WCT Mar. 6, 2002; WPPT May 20, 2002
Lebanon ・
Berne (Rome) Sept. 30, 1947; UCC Geneva Oct.
17, 1959
Lesotho ・
Berne (Paris) Sept. 28, 1989; WTO May 31, 1995
Liberia ・
UCC Geneva July 27, 1956; Berne (Paris) Mar.
8, 1989;
Phonograms Dec. 16, 2005
Libya ・
Berne (Paris) Sept. 28, 1976
Liechtenstein ・
Berne (Paris) July 30, 1931; UCC Geneva Jan.
22, 1959;
WTO Sept. 1, 1995; Phonograms Oct. 12, 1999; UCC
Paris
Nov. 11, 1999; WCT Apr. 30, 2007; WPPT Apr. 30, 2007
Lithuania ・
Berne (Paris) Dec. 14, 1994; Phonograms Jan. 27,
2000;
WTO May 31, 2001; WCT Mar. 6, 2002; WPPT May 20,
2002
Luxembourg ・
Berne (Paris) June 20, 1888; Bilateral (two)
June 29, 1910;
UCC Geneva Oct. 15, 1955; Phonograms Mar. 8,
1976;
WTO Jan. 1, 1995; WCT Mar. 14, 2010; WPPT Mar. 14,
2010
Macau ・
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Macedonia, Former Yugoslav Republic of ・
Berne (Paris)
Sept. 8, 1991;
SAT Sept. 2, 1977; UCC Geneva Apr. 30, 1997;
UCC Paris
Apr. 30, 1997; Phonograms Mar. 2, 1998; WTO Apr.
4, 2003;
WCT Feb. 4, 2004; WPPT Mar. 20, 2005
Madagascar ・
Berne (Brussels) Jan. 1, 1966; WTO Nov. 17, 1995
Malawi ・
UCC Geneva Oct. 26, 1965; Berne (Paris) Oct. 12,
1991;
WTO May 31, 1995
Malaysia ・
Berne (Paris) Oct. 1, 1990; WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Maldives ・
WTO May 31, 1995
Mali ・
Berne (Rome) Mar. 19, 1962; WTO May 31, 1995; WCT
Apr. 24, 2002;
WPPT May 20, 2002
Malta ・
Berne (Rome) Sept. 21, 1964; UCC Geneva Nov. 19,
1968;
WTO Jan. 1, 1995; WCT Mar. 14, 2010; WPPT Mar. 14,
2010
Mauritania E
Berne (Paris) Feb. 6, 1973; WTO May 31, 1995
Mauritius E
UCC Geneva Aug. 20, 1970; Berne (Paris) May
10, 1989;
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Mexico E
Bilateral Feb. 27, 1896; UCC Geneva May 12, 1957;
BAC
Apr. 24, 1964; Berne (Paris) June 11, 1967; Phonograms
Dec. 21, 1973;
UCC Paris Oct. 31, 1975; SAT Aug. 25, 1979;
WTO
Jan. 1, 1995; WCT Mar. 6, 2002; WPPT May 20, 2002
Micronesia, Federated States of E
Berne (Paris) Oct. 7, 2003
Moldova
2 ・ UCC Geneva June 23, 1997; Berne (Paris) Nov.
2, 1995;
Phonograms July 17, 2000; WTO July 26, 2001; WCT
Mar. 6, 2002;
WPPT May 20, 2002; SAT Oct. 28, 2008
Monaco E
Berne (Paris) May 30, 1889; Bilateral Oct. 15, 1952;
UCC Geneva
Sept. 16, 1955; Phonograms Dec. 2, 1974; UCC
Paris
Dec. 13, 1974
Mongolia E
WTO Jan. 29, 1997; Berne (Paris) Mar. 12, 1998;
WCT
Oct. 25, 2002; WPPT Oct. 25, 2002
Montenegro E
Berne (Paris) June 3, 2006; Phonograms June
3, 2006;
WCT June 3, 2006; WPPT June 3, 2006; SAT Oct. 23,
2006;
UCC Geneva Apr. 26, 2007; UCC Paris Apr. 26, 2007
Morocco E
Berne (Paris) June 16, 1917; UCC Geneva May 8,
1972;
UCC Paris Jan. 28, 1976; SAT June 30, 1983; WTO Jan.
1, 1995;
Bilateral Jan. 1, 2006
Mozambique E
WTO Aug. 26, 1995
Myanmar, Union of E
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Namibia E
Berne (Paris) Mar. 21, 1990; WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Nauru E
Unclear
Nepal E
WTO Apr. 23, 2004; Berne (Paris) Jan. 11, 2006
Netherlands and Possessions E
Bilateral Nov. 20, 1899; Berne
(Paris)
Nov. 1, 1912; UCC Geneva June 22, 1967; UCC Paris Nov.
30, 1985;
Phonograms Oct. 12, 1993; WTO Jan. 1, 1995; WCT
Mar. 14, 2010;
WPPT Mar. 14, 2010
New Zealand E
Bilateral Dec. 1, 1916; Berne (Rome) Apr. 24,
1928;
UCC Geneva Sept. 11, 1964; Phonograms Aug. 13, 1976;
WTO
Jan. 1, 1995
Nicaragua
⁷ ・ BAC Dec. 15, 1913; UCC Geneva Aug. 16, 1961;
SAT
Aug. 25, 1979; WTO Sept. 3, 1995; Phonograms Aug. 10,
2000;
Berne (Paris) Aug. 23, 2000; WCT Mar. 6, 2003; WPPT
Mar. 6, 2003;
Bilateral Apr. 1, 2006⁸
Niger ・
Berne (Paris) May 2, 1962; UCC Geneva May 15,
1989;
UCC Paris May 15, 1989; WTO Dec. 13, 1996
Nigeria E
UCC Geneva Feb. 14, 1962; Berne (Paris) Sept. 14,
1993;
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Norway E
Berne (Paris) Apr. 13, 1896; Bilateral July 1,
1905;
UCC Geneva Jan. 23, 1963; UCC Paris Aug. 7, 1974;
Phonograms
Aug. 1, 1978; WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Oman E
Berne (Paris) July 14, 1999; WTO Nov. 9, 2000;
WCT
Sept. 20, 2005; WPPT Sept. 20, 2005; SAT Mar. 18, 2008
Pakistan E
Berne (Rome) July 5, 1948; UCC Geneva Sept. 16,
1955;
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Palau E
Unclear
Panama E
BAC Nov. 25, 1913; UCC Geneva Oct. 17, 1962;
Phonograms
June 29, 1974; UCC Paris Sept. 3, 1980; SAT Sept.
25, 1985;
Berne (Paris) June 8, 1996; WTO Sept. 6, 1997; WCT
Mar. 6, 2002;
WPPT May 20, 2002
Papua New Guinea E
WTO June 9, 1996
Paraguay E
BAC Sept. 20, 1917; UCC Geneva Mar. 11, 1962;
Phonograms
Feb. 13, 1979; Berne (Paris) Jan. 2, 1992; WTO Jan.
1, 1995;
WCT Mar. 6, 2002; WPPT May 20, 2002
Peru E
BAC Apr. 30, 1920; UCC Geneva Oct. 16, 1963; UCC
Paris
July 22, 1985; SAT Aug. 7, 1985; Phonograms Aug. 24,
1985;
Berne (Paris) Aug. 20, 1988; WTO Jan. 1, 1995; WCT
Mar. 6, 2002;
WPPT July 18, 2002
Philippines E
Bilateral Oct. 21, 1948; Berne (Paris) Aug. 1, 1951;
WTO
Jan. 1, 1995; WCT Oct. 4, 2002; WPPT Oct. 4, 2002
Poland E
Berne (Paris) Jan. 28, 1920; Bilateral Feb. 16, 1927;
UCC Geneva
Mar. 9, 1977; UCC Paris Mar. 9, 1977; WTO July
1, 1995;
WPPT Oct. 21, 2003; WCT Mar. 23, 2004
Portugal E
Bilateral July 20, 1893; Berne (Paris) Mar. 29, 1911;
UCC Geneva
Dec. 25, 1956; UCC Paris July 30, 1981; WTO
Jan. 1, 1995;
SAT Mar. 11, 1996; WCT Mar. 14, 2010; WPPT
Mar. 14, 2010
Qatar E
WTO Jan. 13, 1996; Berne (Paris) July 5, 2000; WCT
Oct. 28, 2005;
WPPT Oct. 28, 2005
Romania E
Berne (Paris) Jan. 1, 1927; Bilateral May 14, 1928;
WTO
Jan. 1, 1995; Phonograms Oct. 1, 1998; WCT Mar. 6,
2002;
WPPT May 20, 2002
[
Continued from page 5]
International Copyright Relations of the United States · 9
Russia
2 ・ UCC Geneva May 27, 1973; SAT Jan. 20, 1989; UCC
Paris
Mar. 9, 1995; Berne (Paris) Mar. 13, 1995; Phonograms
Mar. 13, 1995;
WCT Feb. 5, 2009; WPPT Feb. 5, 2009
Rwanda E
Berne (Paris) Mar. 1, 1984; UCC Geneva Nov. 10,
1989;
UCC Paris Nov. 10, 1989; WTO May 22, 1996; SAT July
25, 2001
Saint Kitts and Nevis E
Berne (Paris) Apr. 9, 1995; WTO Feb.
21, 1996
Saint Lucia E
Berne (Paris) Aug. 24, 1993; WTO Jan. 1, 1995;
Phonograms
Apr. 2, 2001; WCT Mar. 6, 2002; WPPT May 20,
2002
Saint Vincent and Grenadines E
UCC Geneva Jan. 22, 1985;
UCC Paris
Jan. 22, 1985; WTO Jan. 1, 1995; Berne (Paris) Aug.
29, 1995
Samoa E
Berne (Paris) July 21, 2006
San Marino E
None
Sao Tome and Principe E
Unclear
Saudi Arabia E
UCC Geneva July 13, 1994 ; UCC Paris July
13, 1994;
Berne (Paris) Mar. 11, 2004; WTO Dec. 11, 2005
Senegal E
Berne (Paris) Aug. 25, 1962; UCC Geneva July 9,
1974;
UCC Paris July 10, 1974; WTO Jan. 1, 1995; WCT May 18,
2002;
WPPT May 20, 2002
Serbia E
Berne (Paris) Apr. 27, 1992; SAT Mar. 12, 2001; UCC
Paris
Sept. 11, 2001; UCC Geneva Nov. 11, 2001; Phonograms
June 10, 2003;
WCT June 13, 2003; WPPT June 13, 2003
Seychelles E
Unclear
Sierra Leone E
WTO July 23, 1995
Singapore E
Bilateral May 18, 1987; WTO Jan. 1, 1995; Berne
(Paris)
Dec. 21, 1998; Bilateral Jan. 1, 2004; WCT Apr. 17,
2005;
WPPT Apr. 17, 2005; SAT Apr. 27, 2005
Slovakia E
Berne (Paris) Jan. 1, 1993; Phonograms Jan. 1, 1993;
UCC Geneva
Mar. 31, 1993; UCC Paris Mar. 31, 1993; WTO
Jan. 1, 1995;
WCT Mar. 6, 2002; WPPT May 20, 2002
Slovenia E
Berne (Paris) June 25, 1991; SAT Nov. 3, 1992;
UCC Geneva
Nov. 5, 1992; UCC Paris Nov. 5, 1992; WTO
July 30, 1995;
Phonograms Oct. 15, 1996; WCT Mar. 6, 2002;
WPPT
May 20, 2002
Solomon Islands E
WTO July 26, 1996
Somalia E
Unclear
South Africa E
Bilateral July 1, 1924; Berne (Brussels) Oct. 3,
1928;
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Spain E
Berne (Paris) Dec. 5, 1887; Bilateral July 10, 1895;
UCC Geneva
Sept. 16, 1955; UCC Paris July 10, 1974;
Phonograms
Aug. 24, 1974; WTO Jan. 1, 1995; WCT Mar. 14,
2010;
WPPT Mar. 14, 2010
Sri Lanka E
Berne (Rome) July 20, 1959; UCC Geneva Jan. 25,
1984;
UCC Paris Jan. 25, 1984; WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Sudan E
Berne (Paris) Dec. 28, 2000
Suriname E
Berne (Paris) Feb. 23, 1977; WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Swaziland E
WTO Jan. 1, 1995; Berne (Paris) Dec. 14, 1998
Sweden E
Berne (Paris) Aug. 1, 1904; Bilateral June 1, 1911;
UCC Geneva
July 1, 1961; Phonograms Apr. 18, 1973; UCC
Paris
July 10, 1974; WTO Jan. 1, 1995; WCT Mar. 14, 2010;
WPPT
Mar. 14, 2010
Switzerland E
Berne (Paris) Dec. 5, 1887; Bilateral July 1, 18913;
UCC Geneva
Mar. 30, 1956; UCC Paris Sept. 21, 1993; SAT
Sept. 24, 1993;
Phonograms Sept. 30, 1993; WTO July 1, 1995;
WCT
July 1, 2008; WPPT July 1, 2008
Syria E
Berne (Paris) June 11, 2004
Tajikistan
2 ・ UCC Geneva Aug. 28, 1992; Berne (Paris) Mar. 9,
2000
; WCT Apr. 5, 2009
Tanzania E
Berne (Paris) July 25, 1994; WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Thailand E
Bilateral Sept. 1, 1921; Berne (Paris) July 17, 1931;
Bilateral
June 8, 1968; WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Togo E
Berne (Paris) Apr. 30, 1975; WTO May 31, 1995; WCT
May 21, 2003;
WPPT May 21, 2003; UCC Geneva May 28,
2003;
UCC Paris May 28, 2003; Phonograms June 10, 2003;
SAT
June 10, 2003
Tonga E
Berne (Paris) June 14, 2001; WTO July 27, 2007
Trinidad and Tobago E
Berne (Paris) Aug. 16, 1988; UCC
Geneva
Aug. 19, 1988; UCC Paris Aug. 19, 1988; Phonograms
Oct. 1, 1988;
WTO Mar. 1, 1995; SAT Nov. 1, 1996; WCT Nov.
28, 2008;
WPPT Nov. 28, 2008
Tunisia E
Berne (Paris) Dec. 5, 1887; UCC Geneva June 19,
1969;
UCC Paris June 10, 1975; WTO Mar. 29, 1995
Turkey E
Berne (Paris) Jan. 1, 1952; WTO Mar. 26, 1995; WCT
Nov. 28, 2008;
WPPT Nov. 28, 2008
Turkmenistan E
None
Tuvalu E
Unclear
Uganda E
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Ukraine
2 ・ UCC Geneva Jan. 17, 1994; Berne (Paris) Oct. 25,
1995;
Phonograms Feb. 18, 2000; WCT Mar. 6, 2002; WPPT
May 20, 2002;
WTO May 16, 2008
International Copyright Relations of the United States · 10
United Arab Emirates E
WTO Apr. 10, 1996; Berne (Paris)
July 14, 2004;
WCT July 14, 2004; WPPT June 9, 2005
United Kingdom E
Berne (Paris) Dec. 5, 1887; Bilateral July 1,
1891
3; UCC Geneva Sept. 27, 1957; Phonograms Apr. 18, 1973;
UCC Paris
July 10, 1974; WTO Jan. 1, 1995; WCT Mar. 14,
2010;
WPPT Mar. 14, 2010
Uruguay E
BAC Mar. 18, 1920; Berne (Paris) July 10, 1967;
Phonograms
Jan. 18, 1983; UCC Geneva Apr. 12, 1993; UCC
Paris
Apr. 12, 1993; WTO Jan. 1, 1995; WPPT Aug. 28, 2008;
WCT
June 5, 2009
Uzbekistan E
Berne (Paris) Apr. 19, 2005
Vanuatu E
Unclear
Venezuela E
UCC Geneva Sept. 30, 1966; Phonograms Nov.
18, 1982;
Berne (Paris) Dec. 30, 1982; WTO Jan. 1, 1995; UCC
Paris
Apr. 11, 1996
Vietnam E
Bilateral Dec. 23, 19981⁶; Bilateral Dec. 10, 2001;
Berne (Paris)
Oct. 26, 2004; Phonograms July 6, 2005; SAT
Jan. 12, 2006;
WTO Jan. 11, 2007
Yemen E
Berne (Paris) July 14, 2008
Zambia E
UCC Geneva June 1, 1965; Berne (Paris) Jan. 2,
1992;
WTO Jan. 1, 1995
Zimbabwe E
Berne (Rome) Apr. 18, 1980; WTO Mar. 5, 1995
Statutory Provisions
Section 104 of title 17 of the
United States Code, which pertains
to the national origin of works receiving U.S. copyright
protection, is reprinted below.
§ 104. Subject matter of copyright: National origin
(a)
Unpublished Works.—The works specified by sections
102 and 103, while unpublished, are subject to protection
under this title without regard to the nationality or
domicile of the author.
(b)
Published Works.—The works specified by sections
102 and 103, when published, are subject to protection
under this title if—
(1) on the date of first publication, one or more of the
authors is a national or domiciliary of the United States,
or is a national, domiciliary, or sovereign authority of a
treaty party, or is a stateless person, wherever that person
may be domiciled; or
(2) the work is first published in the United States or in
a foreign nation that, on the date of first publication, is a
treaty party; or
(3) the work is a sound recording that was first fixed in
a treaty party; or
(4) the work is a pictorial, graphic, or sculptural work
that is incorporated in a building or other structure, or an
architectural work that is embodied in a building and the
building or structure is located in the United States or a
treaty party; or
(5) the work is first published by the United Nations or
any of its specialized agencies, or by the Organization of
American States; or
(6) the work comes within the scope of a presidential
proclamation. Whenever the president finds that a particular
foreign nation extends, to works by authors who
are nationals or domiciliaries of the United States or to
works that are first published in the United States, copyright
protection on substantially the same basis as that on
which the foreign nation extends protection to works of
its own nationals and domiciliaries and works first published
in that nation, the president may by proclamation
extend protection under this title to works of which one
or more of the authors is, on the date of first publication,
a national, domiciliary, or sovereign authority of that
nation, or which was first published in that nation. The
president may revise, suspend, or revoke any such proclamation
or impose any conditions or limitations on protection
under a proclamation.
For purposes of paragraph (2), a work that is published in
the United States or a treaty party within 30 days after publication
in a foreign nation that is not a treaty party shall be
considered to be first published in the United States or such
treaty party, as the case may be.
(c)
Effect of Berne Convention.—No right or
interest in a work eligible for protection under this title may
be claimed by virtue of, or in reliance upon, the provisions of
the Berne Convention, or the adherence of the United States
thereto. Any rights in a work eligible for protection under
this title that derive from this title, other federal or state statutes,
or the common law, shall not be expanded or reduced
by virtue of, or in reliance upon, the provisions of the Berne
Convention, or the adherence of the United States thereto.
(d)
Effect of Phonograms Treaties.—Notwithstanding
the provisions of subsection (b), no works other
than sound recordings shall be eligible for protection under
this title solely by virtue of the adherence of the United
States to the Geneva Phonograms Convention or the WIPO
Performances and Phonograms Treaty.
International Copyright Relations of the United States · 11
Notes
1. Bilateral copyright relations between Australia and the United States
were further developed pursuant to the Agreement between the
United
States of America and Government of Australia on the Establishment of a
Free Trade Area
, signed May 18, 2004, and effective Jan. 1, 2005.
2. Each of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries
listed in this circular is a successor to the Soviet Union’s copyright
treaty obligations, in particular those under UCC Geneva; accordingly,
each is a member of UCC Geneva effective May 27, 1973, the date the
Soviet Union became a party. The successor status of each country was
confirmed in a bilateral trade agreement between each country and
the United States, effective on the following dates: Armenia (Apr. 2,
1992); Azerbaijan (Apr. 21, 1995); Belarus (Feb. 16, 1993); Georgia (Aug.
13, 1993); Kazakhstan (Feb. 18, 1993); Kyrgyz Republic (Aug. 21, 1992);
Moldova (July 2, 1992); Russia (June 17, 1992); Tajikistan (Nov. 24, 1993);
Turkmenistan (Oct. 25, 1993); Ukraine (June 23, 1992); Uzbekistan (Jan.
13, 1994). However, only the countries listed in this circular as parties to
the UCC have filed notices of succession with the United Nations Educational,
Scientific, and Cultural Organization, which administers UCC
Geneva. The notices of succession are effective on the dates specified.
3. Bilateral copyright relations between the United States and Belgium,
France, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland were established by
Presidential Proclamation No. 3. of July 1, 1891, 27 Stat. 981 (1891), effective
that same date, under the authority of the Chase Act of 1891.
4. Bilateral copyright relations between Chile and the United States
were further developed pursuant to the
Agreement between the United
States of America and the Republic of Chile on the Establishment of a Free
Trade Area
, signed June 6, 2003, and effective Jan. 1, 2004.
5. The government of the People’s Republic of China views this
treaty as not binding. In the territory administered by the authorities on
Taiwan, the treaty is considered to be in force.
6. Bilateral copyright relations between the People’s Republic of
China and the United States of America were established, effective Mar.
17, 1992, by a presidential proclamation of the same date, under the
authority of section 104 of title 17 of the
United States Code, as amended
on Oct. 31, 1988 (Public Law 100-568, 102 Stat. 2853, 2855).
7. This country became a party to the Mexico City Convention,
1902, effective June 30, 1908, to which the United States also became a
party, effective on the same date. As regards copyright relations with the
United States, this convention is considered to have been superseded
by adherence of this country and the United States to the Buenos Aires
Convention of 1910.
8. Bilaterial copyright relations between the United States and Costa
Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and
Nicaragua were further developed pursuant to the Dominican Republic–
Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). All countries
signed CAFTA-DR on Aug. 5, 2004. CAFTA-DR entered into force for
each country on the dates specified in this circular.
9. This country became a party to the Mexico City Convention, 1902,
effective June 30, 1908, to which the United States also became a party,
effective on the same date.
10. The dates of adherence by Germany to multilateral treaties
include adherence by the Federal Republic of Germany when that country
was divided into the Federal Republic of Germany and the German
Democratic Republic. However, through the accession, effective Oct. 3,
1990, of the German Democratic Republic to the Federal Republic of
Germany, in accordance with the German Unification Treaty of Aug.
31, 1990, the German Democratic Republic ceased, on the said date, to
be a sovereign state. Previously, the German Democratic Republic had
become party to the Paris Act of the Berne Convention for the Protection
of Literary and Artistic Works on Feb. 18, 1978, but ceased to be a
party to the said convention on Oct. 3, 1990. The German Democratic
Republic had also been a member of the Universal Copyright Convention,
having become party to the Geneva text of the convention on Oct.
5, 1973, and party to the revised Paris text of the same convention on
Dec. 10, 1980.
11. Date on which the accession by the German Empire became effective.
12. Bilateral copyright relations between the United States and Germany
were established effective July 12, 1967, by Presidential Proclamation
No. 3792 of that same date, at 32
fr 10341, under the authority of
the Copyright Act of 1909 as amended at 55 Stat. 732.
13. Prior to the return of Hong Kong to China, bilateral copyright
relations existed with Hong Kong through the United Kingdom (from
Aug. 1, 1973), and Phonogram Convention Membership existed through
the United Kingdom (from Mar. 4, 1975).
14. Bilateral copyright relations between Japan and the United States,
which were formulated effective May 10, 1906, are considered to have
been abrogated and superseded by the adherence of Japan to the UCC
Geneva, effective Apr. 28, 1956.
15. Bilateral copyright relations between Jordan and the United States
were established pursuant to the
Agreement between the United States of
America and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on the Establishment of a
Free Trade Area
, signed Oct. 24, 2000, and effective Dec. 17, 2001.
16. Bilateral copyright relations between the Socialist Republic of
Vietnam and the United States were established effective December 23,
1998, by Presidential Proclamation No. 7161 of that same date, at 63
fr
71571 (1998), under the authority of sections 104(b)(5) and 104A(g) of
title 17 of the
United States Code, as amended.
For Further Information
By Internet
Circulars, announcements, regulations, certain application
forms, and other related materials are available from the
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