IPR
Topic 125 WCT WPPT
Topic 125 — WCT and WPPT (WIPO Internet Treaties)
The WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT) and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT) — collectively known as the "WIPO Internet Treaties" — were both adopted on 20 December 1996 in Geneva. They modernise the international copyright framework for the digital age, addressing copyright + related rights in the era of internet, digital reproduction, and online distribution. The WCT entered into force on 6 March 2002. The WPPT entered into force on 20 May 2002. Both treaties have 100+ contracting parties (as of 2024). India is NOT a member of either WCT or WPPT — but has substantively aligned its Copyright Act 1957 with their provisions through the Copyright Amendment Act 2012. Key provisions: WCT Articles 1-25 strengthen copyright in digital environment — Article 4 confirms computer programs protected as literary works; Article 5 confirms compilations of data; Article 6 right of distribution; Article 7 right of rental; Article 8 right of communication to the public (CRITICAL FOR DIGITAL); Article 11 prohibits circumvention of technological protection measures (TPMs); Article 12 prohibits removal/alteration of rights management information (RMI). WPPT Articles 1-25 cover performers and phonogram producers — Article 5 moral rights of performers; Article 6 economic rights for live performances; Article 7-9 economic rights for fixed performances; Article 14 right of communication to the public; Article 15 right to remuneration for broadcasting; Article 18 prohibits TPM circumvention; Article 19 prohibits RMI removal. India's 2012 Amendment Act introduced: Section 65A (TPM circumvention) + Section 65B (RMI removal) + reinforced rights for performers. The 2023 Cinematograph (Amendment) Act + IT Rules 2021 modernise framework. India's position remains for non-membership while maintaining substantive alignment. This topic walks through both treaties — substantive provisions, India's alignment through 2012 Amendment, and emerging considerations.
1. WIPO Internet Treaties Foundational Framework
A. Adoption and Effective
- Both adopted: 20 December 1996 in Geneva.
- WCT effective: 6 March 2002.
- WPPT effective: 20 May 2002.
- Modernise pre-internet copyright framework.
- 100+ contracting parties each.
B. Background
- Berne Convention 1886 — pre-internet framework.
- Need for digital age provisions.
- Drives by US + EU + Japan.
- 1996 WIPO Diplomatic Conference adoption.
- Together with WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty.
C. India's Position
- India NOT member of either treaty.
- Substantive alignment through Copyright Amendment Act 2012.
- Strategic non-membership preserves national flexibility.
- Evolving consideration for membership.
2. WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT)
A. Treaty Structure
- 25 articles.
- Builds on Berne Convention.
- Berne Convention provisions remain applicable.
- WCT supplements with digital provisions.
B. Key Substantive Provisions
Article | Provision |
|---|---|
Article 1 | Relationship to Berne Convention. |
Article 2 | Scope of copyright protection (limited to expressions, not ideas). |
Article 3 | Application of Articles 2-6 of Berne. |
Article 4 | COMPUTER PROGRAMS protected as literary works. |
Article 5 | COMPILATIONS OF DATA (databases) protected. |
Article 6 | RIGHT OF DISTRIBUTION (exclusive). |
Article 7 | RIGHT OF RENTAL (computer programs, films, phonograms). |
Article 8 | RIGHT OF COMMUNICATION TO THE PUBLIC (CRITICAL FOR INTERNET). |
Article 11 | TECHNOLOGICAL PROTECTION MEASURES (TPMs) — anti-circumvention. |
Article 12 | RIGHTS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION (RMI) — anti-removal. |
C. Article 8 — The Internet Critical Right
✅ WCT Article 8 — Right of Communication to the Public Article 8 establishes: · Authors have EXCLUSIVE RIGHT OF AUTHORIZATION OF ANY COMMUNICATION TO THE PUBLIC of their works, by wire or wireless means. Includes: · Internet transmission. · Streaming. · Online broadcasting. · Making works available online. Key aspects: · Covers UPLOAD + transmission. · Includes interactive on-demand transmission. · Foundational for digital copyright protection. · Implemented through Indian Section 14(d)(iii). India's implementation: · Section 14(d)(iii) Copyright Act — communication to public. · Includes internet transmission. · Aligned with WCT Article 8 substantively. |
D. TPMs and RMIs
- Article 11 — TPMs (Technological Protection Measures): DRM, encryption, access controls.
- Article 12 — RMIs (Rights Management Information): copyright notices, ownership info.
- Anti-circumvention obligations.
- Anti-removal obligations.
3. WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT)
A. Treaty Structure
- 25 articles.
- Covers performers and phonogram producers.
- Builds on Rome Convention 1961.
- Modernises for digital age.
B. Key Substantive Provisions
Article | Provision |
|---|---|
Article 1 | Relationship to Rome Convention. |
Article 2 | Definitions (performers, phonograms, producers, etc.). |
Article 3 | Beneficiaries. |
Article 4 | National treatment. |
Article 5 | MORAL RIGHTS OF PERFORMERS. |
Article 6 | Economic rights for live (unfixed) performances. |
Article 7 | Right of reproduction for fixed performances. |
Article 8 | Right of distribution for fixed performances. |
Article 9 | Right of rental for fixed performances. |
Article 10 | Right of making available (interactive on-demand). |
Article 14 | Right of communication to the public. |
Article 15 | Right to remuneration for broadcasting + communication. |
Article 18 | TPMs — anti-circumvention. |
Article 19 | RMIs — anti-removal. |
C. Performers Rights
✅ Performers Rights under WPPT PERFORMERS HAVE: 1. ECONOMIC RIGHTS · Reproduction (Article 7). · Distribution (Article 8). · Rental (Article 9). · Making available (Article 10). · Communication to the public (Article 14). 2. MORAL RIGHTS (Article 5) · Right to be identified as performer. · Right to object to derogatory treatment. · Foundation for "performer's rights" in India. 3. REMUNERATION RIGHTS · For broadcasting. · For communication to public. · Equitable remuneration framework. INDIA'S 2012 AMENDMENT: · Reinforced performers' rights. · Section 38, 38A, 38B Copyright Act. · Aligned with WPPT framework. |
4. India's Copyright Amendment Act 2012
A. Major 2012 Reforms
✅ Copyright Amendment Act 2012 — WCT/WPPT Substantive Alignment 1. PERFORMERS' RIGHTS · Section 38 — performers as authors of their performances. · Section 38A — exclusive rights of performers. · Section 38B — moral rights of performers. 2. ANTI-CIRCUMVENTION (TPMs) · Section 65A introduced. · Prohibits circumvention of effective TPMs. · Criminal sanctions. 3. RIGHTS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION (RMI) · Section 65B introduced. · Prohibits removal/alteration of RMI. · Criminal sanctions. 4. STATUTORY LICENSING · Section 31D — broadcasting and television. · Modernised. 5. INTERNET COPYRIGHT EXTENSION · Section 14 — communication to public extended. · Includes internet transmission. 6. STRENGTHENED REMEDIES · Section 63 enhanced penalties. · Section 63A repeat offender provisions. |
B. Indian Aligned Provisions
Indian Provision | WCT/WPPT Equivalent |
|---|---|
Section 14(d)(iii) | WCT Article 8. |
Section 65A | WCT Article 11; WPPT Article 18. |
Section 65B | WCT Article 12; WPPT Article 19. |
Section 38 | WPPT Article 5. |
Section 38A | WPPT Articles 7-10. |
Section 38B | WPPT Article 5. |
Section 31D | WPPT Article 15. |
Section 27 (term) | Berne Article 7. |
C. Indian Cases on Internet Copyright
📖 Myspace Inc. v. Super Cassettes Industries Ltd., 2016 SCC OnLine Del 6382 Background — Music label sued Myspace for hosting copyrighted music videos. Holding — Delhi HC: Intermediary liability framework; safe harbour with proper diligence. Significance — Foundational Indian intermediary liability case for internet copyright. |
📖 Shreya Singhal v. Union of India, AIR 2015 SC 1523 Background — Constitutional challenge to IT Act provisions. Holding — Supreme Court: Read down Section 79(3)(b); "actual knowledge" requires court order. Significance — Foundational intermediary liability case. |
📖 UTV Software Communication Ltd v. 1337X.to, 2019 SCC OnLine Del 8002 Background — UTV sought injunction against pirate sites. Holding — Delhi HC: PIONEERED dynamic injunctions. Significance — Online IP enforcement framework. |
5. Internet Copyright Issues
A. Online Distribution
- WCT Article 6 + Article 8.
- Implications for streaming platforms.
- Challenges of cross-border distribution.
- Platform liability frameworks.
B. AI Training and Copyright
- Section 14(d)(iii) — communication to public framework.
- Section 52 — fair dealing for AI training.
- ANI v. OpenAI 2024 (pending) — judgment reserved 2025.
- International debates on AI + copyright.
C. NFTs and Copyright
- Hermès v. Rothschild (S.D.N.Y. 2023) — MetaBirkins.
- BAYC v. Ryder Ripps (2023) — NFT trademark.
- Indian framework evolving.
- Cross-border enforcement.
6. Recent WCT/WPPT Developments
Development | Year | Significance |
|---|---|---|
Beijing Treaty (audiovisual) | 2012 | Extension of WPPT to audiovisual performances. |
Marrakesh Treaty | 2013 | Visually impaired persons. |
Cinematograph Amendment Act | 2023 | Anti-piracy provisions. |
IT Rules 2021 | 2021 | Intermediary obligations. |
DPDP Act 2023 | 2023 | Privacy intersections. |
7. Strategic Considerations for Indian Stakeholders
✅ For Indian content creators and platforms — eight points For digital distribution, leverage Section 14(d)(iii) communication to public. For streaming services, ensure Section 65A TPM compliance. For RMI handling, ensure Section 65B compliance. For performers' rights, leverage Section 38, 38A, 38B framework. For statutory licensing, navigate Section 31D framework. For online enforcement, leverage UTV-style dynamic injunctions. For AI training, monitor ANI v. OpenAI evolution. For international scope, prepare cross-border enforcement. |
✅ For India joining considerations — six points Strategic benefits: international cooperation. Strategic costs: TRIPS-Plus implications. Substantive alignment already significant through 2012 Amendment. Membership decision strategic. Continued monitoring of international developments. Coordination with major IP partners. |
8. Memory Aid — Quick Recall
✅ Quick Recall — WCT and WPPT WCT and WPPT — both adopted 20 December 1996 in Geneva. WCT effective 6 March 2002. WPPT effective 20 May 2002. 100+ contracting parties each. India NOT member of either. India aligned through Copyright Amendment Act 2012. WCT Article 8 — right of communication to public (digital). WCT Article 11 — TPMs anti-circumvention. WCT Article 12 — RMIs anti-removal. WPPT Article 5 — moral rights of performers. WPPT Articles 6-10 — economic rights of performers. WPPT Article 14 — right of communication to public. WPPT Article 15 — remuneration for broadcasting. India 2012 Amendment: Section 65A (TPMs); Section 65B (RMIs); Section 38, 38A, 38B (performers). Indian cases: Myspace 2016; Shreya Singhal 2015; UTV 2019; ANI v. OpenAI 2024 (pending). |
🎯 EXAM POINTERS — TOPIC 125
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