The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is preparing a WIPO Broadcasting Organizations Treaty. The aim of this text is to internationally harmonize the protection granted to broadcasting organizations by setting minimum standards. It would be an effective anti-piracy instrument to protect programme-carrying signals on a global scale.

The Revised Draft Text for the WIPO Broadcasting Organizations Treaty (SCCR/42/3) aims at providing a clear, simple, and future-proof approach against the unauthorized or unlawful use of broadcasting organizations’ programme-carrying signals, both on a domestic and international level.

The EBU and its Members are of the opinion that the Revised Draft Text for the WIPO Broadcasting Organizations Treaty covers the principles necessary for the legal protection of programme-carrying signals; and, therefore, could serve as a basis for finalizing the text of the WIPO Broadcasting Organizations Treaty in view of convening a Diplomatic Conference for the adoption of this treaty. It is however paramount that the flexibility and the two-tier level protection provided in the proposed text remain balanced without weakening the protection granted.