Performers' Rights Enhanced by WIPO

The World Intellectual Property Organisation has agreed a new international treaty, which, when ratified by 30 or more of the 48 signatory countries, will significantly enhance the rights of performers to control the distribution of their work. The treaty will give them the exclusive right to control both direct and indirect distribution of their work, including distribution in electronic form.

The right extends (at the option of the signatory countries concerned) to the ability to control when material by the performer is put on the market.