Moral rights for performers update

The Government is in the process of introducing moral rights for performers into UK law, as required by the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty. Background information on moral right for performers can be found on this website.

An Order designating the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty and the WIPO Copyright Treaty as European Community Treaties was recently debated and approved by both Houses of Parliament. The Hansard extract for the House of Commons and extract for the House of Lords refer.

Once this Order is made in the Privy Council it will allow the laying of a further Statutory Instrument introducing substantive regulations on moral rights for performers. A draft of the Regulations (38Kb) is available It is intended that the Regulations will come into force on 1 February 2006.

Any queries should be addressed to Karl Whitfield:

Intellectual Property Office
Concept House
Cardiff Road
Newport
South Wales
NP10 8QQ
United Kingdom

Tel: + 44 (0)1633 814734