News

A diplomatic conference of WIPO member states that took place in Beijing on 20-26 June succeeded in finalizing the Treaty after 12 years of negotiations. The conference was attended by a historically high number of member states, intergovernmental organisations and non-governmental organisations.



This Treaty will provide an international legal framework for the protection of performers in audiovisual works and strengthen their economic and moral rights. It will provide rules for the sharing of internationally generated revenues and also grant performers rights to prevent lack of attribution or distortion of their performances. For the first time performers will also be protected in the digital environment.



UNI MEI congratulates its sister organisations, the International Federation of Actors, FIA, and the International Federation of Musicians, FIM, for this victory. Both organisations and their members have been working tirelessly to bring about change at WIPO and gain recognition for the intellectual property rights of performers in audiovisual performances.



UNI MEI has supported FIA and FIM in this long battle for better protection for audiovisual and will continue to work together with them and in cooperation with other creators’ organisations to gain recognition for the intellectual property rights of creators everywhere as well as to make them better respected in regulations and contractual arrangements with employers.