The internet remains one of the single greatest threats to copyright, more so than piracy.
“Copyright is now facing its greatest challenge due to digital copying and the Internet, which makes those copies available all over the world at very little cost,” said assistant director general of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Trevor Clarke.
“Yes, there are some instances of piracy . . . but there are some who feel if the issue of the Internet was resolved most of the piracy would go away.
“The challenge copyright holders face where copyrighted material is so readily available has created a tension within the copyright industry between the holders and users.”
Clarke said the question of who paid for what was something WIPO had to deal with, which was why it currently had a steering committee negotiating three treaties: one on exceptions and limitations on moving copyright protected material across borders in the interest of the visually impaired, another seeking to protect audio-visual performances, and the third in protecting broadcasting organizations.
He was speaking yesterday at the start of a two-day sub-regional workshop on intellectual property rights at the Accra Beach Hotel and Spa, Rockley, Christ Church.
Clarke also spoke about four “developmental pillars” which were being implemented – making sure countries recognized the importance of intellectual property, that the various governments articulated strategies to ensure it was featured in the work of the country, ensuring legal and regulatory frameworks were put into place and strengthening corporate offices and building human capacity.
In addition, Clarke said it was now up to WIPO and its member states to bring greater balance to the intellectual property arena as developed countries were being perceived as trying to gain unfair advantages.
During the break, Clarke told the DAILY NATION his wish was for the participants of the member countries not to just hear and ignore what was being put forward.
