U.S. Copyright Office - Circular 38a: International Copyright Relations of the United States

Information Circular

Circular 38a
International Copyright Relations of the United States

TABLE OF CONTENTS

General Information
Relations as of January 2003
Statutory Provisions
Some Points to Remember Regarding the International Protection of Literary and Artistic Works
Footnotes

GENERAL INFORMATION

This circular sets forth U.S. copyright relations of current interest with the other independent nations of the world. Each entry gives country name (and alternate name) and a statement of copyright relations. The following code is used:

BAC	Party to the Buenos Aires Convention of 1910, as of the date given. U.S. ratification deposited with the Government of Argentina, May 1, 1911; proclaimed by the President of the United States, July 13, 1914.
Berne	Party to the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works as of the date given. Appearing within parentheses is the latest Act1 of the Convention to which the country is party. The effective date for the United States is March 1, 1989. The latest Act of the Convention, to which the United States is party, is the revision done at Paris on July 24, 1971.
Bilateral	Bilateral copyright relations with the United States by virtue of a proclamation or treaty, as of the date given. Where there is more than one proclamation or treaty, only the date of the first one is given.
None	No copyright relations with the United States.
Phonograms	Party to the Convention for the Protection of Producers of Phonograms Against Unauthorized Duplication of Their Phonograms, Geneva, 1971, as of the date given. The effective date for the United States is March 10, 1974.
SAT	Party to the Convention Relating to the Distribution of PROGRAMME-Carrying Signals Transmitted by Satellite, Brussels, 1974, as of the date given. The effective date for the United States is March 7, 1985.
UCC Geneva	Party to the Universal Copyright Convention, Geneva, 1952, as of the date given. The effective date for the United States is September 16, 1955.
UCC Paris	Party to the Universal Copyright Convention as revised at Paris, 1971, as of the date given. The effective date for the United States is July 10, 1974.
Unclear	Became independent since 1943. Has not established copyright relations with the United States, but may be honoring obligations incurred under former political status.
WCT	Party to the World Intellectual Property Organization Copyright Treaty, Geneva, 1996, as of the date provided. The effective date for the United States is March 6, 2002, the date the treaty entered into force.
WPPT	Party to the World Intellectual Property Organization Performances and Phonograms Treaty, Geneva, 1996, as of the date provided. The effective date for the United States if may 20, 2002, the date the treaty entered into force.
WTO	Member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), established pursuant to the Marrakesh Agreement of April 15, 1994, to implement the Uruguay Round Agreements. These Agreements affect, among other things, intangible property rights, including copyright and other intellectual property rights. The effective date of United States membership in the WTO is January 1, 1995. A country's membership in the WTO is effective as of the date indicated.

RELATIONS AS OF JANUARY 2003

Afghanistan None Albania Berne March 6, 1994 (Paris)¹ WTO Sept. 8, 2000 WPPT May 20, 2002 Algeria UCC Geneva Aug. 28, 1973 UCC Paris July 10, 1974 Berne April 19, 1998 (Paris) Andorra UCC Geneva Sept. 16, 1955 Angola WTO Nov. 23, 1996 Antigua and Barbuda WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Berne March 17, 2000 (Paris) Argentina Bilateral Aug. 23, 1934 BAC April 19, 1950 UCC Geneva Feb. 13, 1958 Berne June 10, 1967 (Paris)² Phonograms June 30, 1973³ WTO Jan. 1, 1995 WCT March 6, 2002 WPPT May 20, 2002 Armenia¹⁷ UCC Geneva May 27, 1973 SAT Dec.13, 1993 Berne Oct. 19, 2000 (Paris) Australia Bilateral March 15, 1918 Berne April 14, 1928 (Paris)² UCC Geneva May 1, 1969 Phonograms June 22, 1974 UCC Paris Feb. 28, 1978 SAT Oct. 26,1990 WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Austria Bilateral Sept. 20, 1907 Berne Oct. 1, 1920 (Paris)² UCC Geneva July 2, 1957 SAT Aug. 6, 1982⁴ UCC Paris Aug. 14, 1982 Phonograms Aug. 21, 1982 WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Azerbaijan¹⁷ UCC Geneva May 27, 1973 Berne June 4, 1999 (Paris) Phonograms Sept. 1, 2001 Bahamas, The Berne July 10, 1973 (Brussels) UCC Geneva Dec. 27, 1976 UCC Paris Dec. 27, 1976	Bahrain WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Berne March 2, 1997 (Paris) Bangladesh UCC Geneva Aug. 5, 1975 UCC Paris Aug. 5, 1975 WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Berne May 4, 1999 (Paris) Barbados UCC Geneva June 18, 1983 UCC Paris June 18, 1983 Berne July 30, 1983 (Paris)² Phonograms July 29, 1983 WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Belarus¹⁷ UCC Geneva May 27, 1973 Berne Dec. 12, 1997 (Paris) WCT March 6, 2002 WPPT May 20, 2002 Belgium Berne Dec. 5, 1887 (Paris)² Belize UCC Geneva Dec. 1, 1982 WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Berne June 17, 2000 (Paris) Benin Berne Jan. 3, 1961 (Paris)² WTO Feb. 22, 1996 Bhutan None Bolivia BAC May 15, 1914 UCC Geneva March 22, 1990 UCC Paris March 22, 1990 Berne Nov. 4, 1993 (Paris) WTO Sept. 12, 1995 Bosnia and Herzegovina UCC Geneva May 11, 1966 UCC Paris July 10, 1974 Berne March 1, 1992 (Paris) SAT March 6, 1992 Botswana WTO May 31, 1995 Berne April 15, 1998 (Paris) Brazil BAC Aug. 31, 1915 Berne Feb. 9, 1922 (Paris)² Bilateral April 2, 1957 UCC Geneva Jan. 13, 1960 Phonograms Nov. 28, 1975 UCC Paris Dec. 11, 1975 WTO Jan. 1, 1995	Brunei WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Bulgaria Berne Dec. 5, 1921 (Paris)² UCC Geneva June 7, 1975 UCC Paris June 7, 1975 Phonograms Sept. 6, 1995 WTO Dec. 1, 1996 WCT March 6, 2002 WPPT May 20, 2002 Burkina Faso Berne Aug. 19, 1963 (Paris)² Phonograms Jan. 30, 1988 WTO June 3, 1995 WCT March 6, 2002 WPPT May 20, 2002 Burundi WTO July 23, 1995 Cambodia UCC Geneva Sept. 16, 1955 Cameroon Berne Sept. 21, 1964 (Paris)² UCC Geneva May 1, 1973 UCC Paris July 10, 1974 WTO Dec. 13, 1995 Canada Bilateral Jan. 1, 1924 Berne April 10, 1928 (Paris)² UCC Geneva Aug. 10, 1962 WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Cape Verde Berne July 7, 1997 (Paris) Central African Republic Berne Sept. 3, 1977 (Paris)² WTO May 31, 1995 Chad Berne Nov. 25, 1971 (Brussels)² WTO Oct. 19, 1996 Chile Bilateral May 25, 1896 BAC June 14, 1955 UCC Geneva Sept. 16, 1955 Berne June 5, 1970 (Paris)² Phonograms March 24, 1977 WTO Jan. 1, 1995 WCT March 6, 2002 WPPT May 20, 2002 China Bilateral Jan. 13, 1904⁵ Bilateral March 17, 1992⁹ Berne Oct. 15, 1992 (Paris) UCC Geneva Oct. 30, 1992 UCC Paris Oct. 30, 1992 Phonograms April 30, 1993 WTO Dec. 22, 2001

Chinese Taipei WTO Jan. 1, 2002 Colombia BAC Dec. 23, 1936 UCC Geneva June 18, 1976 UCC Paris June 18, 1976 Berne March 7, 1988 (Paris)² Phonograms May 16, 1994 WTO April 30, 1995 WCT March 6, 2002 WPPT May 20, 2002 Comoros Unclear Congo, Democratic Republic of the Berne Oct. 8, 1963 (Paris)² Phonograms Nov. 29, 1977 WTO Jan. 1, 1997 Congo, Republic of the Berne May 8, 1962 (Paris)² WTO March 27, 1997 Costa Rica⁶ Bilateral Oct. 19, 1899 BAC Nov. 30, 1916 UCC Geneva Sept. 16, 1955 Berne June 10, 1978 (Paris)² UCC Paris March 7, 1980 Phonograms June 17, 1982 WTO Jan. 1, 1995 SAT June 25, 1999 WCT March 6, 2002 WPPT May 20, 2002 Cote d'Ivoire Berne Jan. 1, 1962 (Paris)² WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Croatia UCC Geneva May 11, 1966 UCC Paris July 10, 1974 Berne Oct. 8, 1991 (Paris)² SAT Oct. 8, 1991 Phonograms April 20, 2000 WTO Nov. 30, 2000 WCT March 6, 2002 WPPT May 20, 2002 Cuba Bilateral Nov. 17, 1903 UCC Geneva June 18, 1957 WTO April 20, 1995 Berne Feb. 20, 1997 (Paris) Cyprus Berne Feb. 24, 1964 (Paris)² UCC Geneva Dec. 19, 1990 UCC Paris Dec. 19,1990 Phonograms Sept. 30, 1993 WTO July 30, 1995	Czech Republic UCC Geneva Jan. 6, 1960 UCC Paris April 17, 1980 Berne Jan. 1, 1993 (Paris) Phonograms Jan. 1, 1993 WTO Jan. 1, 1995 WCT March 6, 2002 WPPT May 20, 2002 Denmark Bilateral May 8, 1893 Berne July 1, 1903 (Paris)² UCC Geneva Feb. 9, 1962 Phonograms March 24, 1977 UCC Paris July 11, 1979 WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Djibouti WTO May 31, 1995 Berne May 13, 2002 (Paris) Dominica WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Berne Aug. 7, 1999 (Paris) Dominican Republic6 BAC Oct. 31, 1912 UCC Geneva May 8, 1983 UCC Paris May 8, 1983 WTO March 9, 1995 Berne Dec. 24, 1997 (Paris) Ecuador BAC Aug. 31, 1914 UCC Geneva June 5, 1957 Phonograms Sept. 14, 1974 UCC Paris Sept. 6, 1991 Berne Oct. 9, 1991 (Paris) WTO Jan. 21, 1996 WCT March 6, 2002 WPPT May 20, 2002 Egypt Berne June 7, 1977 (Paris)² Phonograms April 23, 1978 WTO June 30, 1995 El Salvador Bilateral June 30, 1908, by virtue of Mexico City Convention, 1902 Phonograms Feb. 9, 1979 UCC Geneva March 29, 1979 UCC Paris March 29, 1979 Berne Feb. 19, 1994 (Paris) WTO May 7, 1995 WCT March 6, 2002 WPPT May 20, 2002 Equatorial Guinea Berne June 26, 1997 (Paris) Estonia Berne Oct. 26, 1994 (Paris) WTO Nov. 13, 1999 Phonograms May 28, 2000	Ethiopia None European Community WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Fiji Berne Dec.1, 1971 (Brussels)² UCC Geneva March 13, 1972 Phonograms April. 18, 1973³ WTO Jan. 14, 1996 Finland Berne April 1, 1928 (Paris)² Bilateral Jan. 1, 1929 UCC Geneva April 16, 1963 Phonograms April 18, 19733 UCC Paris Nov. 1, 1986 WTO Jan. 1, 1995 France Berne Dec. 5, 1887 (Paris)² Bilateral July 1, 1891¹⁴ UCC Geneva Jan. 14, 1956 Phonograms April 18, 1973³ UCC Paris July 10, 1974 WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Gabon Berne March 26, 1962 (Paris)² WTO Jan. 1, 1995 WCT March 6, 2002 WPPT May 20, 2002 Gambia, The Berne March 7, 1993 (Paris) WTO Oct. 23, 1996 Georgia1⁷ UCC Geneva May 27, 1973 Berne May 16, 1995 (Paris) WTO June 14, 2000 WCT March 6, 2002 WPPT May 20, 2002 Germany^10,15 Berne Dec. 5, 1887 (Paris)^2,7 Bilateral April 15, 1892 UCC Geneva Sept. 16, 1955 Bilateral July 12, 1967¹⁵ Phonograms May 18, 1974 UCC Paris July 10, 1974 SAT Aug. 25, 1979⁴ WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Ghana UCC Geneva Aug. 22, 1962 Berne Oct. 11, 1991 (Paris) WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Greece Berne Nov. 9, 1920 (Paris)² Bilateral March 1, 1932 UCC Geneva Aug. 24, 1963 SAT Oct. 22, 1991 Phonograms Feb. 9, 1994 WTO Jan. 1, 1995

Grenada WTO Feb. 22, 1996 Berne Sept. 22, 1998 (Paris) Guatemala⁶ BAC March 28, 1913 UCC Geneva Oct. 28, 1964 Phonograms Feb. 1, 1977 WTO July 21, 1995 Berne July 28, 1997 (Paris) WCT Feb. 4, 2003 WPPT Jan. 8, 2003 Guinea Berne Nov. 20, 1980 (Paris)² UCC Geneva Nov. 13, 1981 UCC Paris Nov. 13, 1981 WTO Oct. 25, 1995 WCT May 25, 2002 WPPT May 25, 2002 Guinea-Bissau Berne July 22, 1991 (Paris) WTO May 31, 1995 Guyana Berne Oct. 25, 1994 (Paris) WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Haiti BAC Nov. 27, 1919 UCC Geneva Sept. 16, 1955 Berne Jan. 11, 1996 (Paris) WTO Jan. 30, 1996 Honduras⁶ BAC April 27, 1914 Berne Jan. 25,1990 (Paris) Phonograms March 6, 1990 WTO Jan. 1, 1995 WCT May 20, 2002 WPPT May 20, 2002 Hong Kong¹² WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Berne July 1, 1997 (Paris) Phonograms July 1, 1997 Hungary Bilateral Oct. 16, 1912 Berne Feb. 14, 1922 (Paris)² UCC Geneva Jan. 23, 1971 UCC Paris July 10, 1974 Phonograms May 28, 1975 WTO Jan. 1, 1995 WCT March 6, 2002 WPPT May 20, 2002 Iceland Berne Sept. 7, 1947 (Rome)² UCC Geneva Dec. 18, 1956 WTO Jan. 1, 1995	India Berne April 1, 1928 (Paris)² Bilateral Aug. 15, 1947 UCC Geneva Jan. 21, 1958 Phonograms Feb. 12, 1975 UCC Paris April 7, 1988 WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Indonesia Bilateral Aug. 1, 1989 WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Berne Sept. 5, 1997 (Paris) WCT March 6, 2002 Iran None Iraq None Ireland Berne Oct. 5, 1927 (Brussels)² Bilateral Oct. 1, 1929 UCC Geneva Jan. 20, 1959 WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Israel Bilateral May 15, 1948 Berne March 24, 1950 (Brussels)² UCC Geneva Sept. 16, 1955 Phonograms May 1, 1978 WTO April 21, 1995 Italy Berne Dec. 5, 1887 (Paris)² Bilateral Oct. 31, 1892 UCC Geneva Jan. 24, 1957 Phonograms March 24, 1977 UCC Paris Jan. 25, 1980 SAT July 7, 1981⁴ WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Jamaica Berne Jan. 1, 1994 (Paris) Phonograms Jan. 11, 1994 WTO March 9, 1995 SAT Jan. 12, 2000 WCT June 12, 2002 WPPT June 12, 2002 Japan⁸ Berne July 15, 1899 (Paris)² UCC Geneva April 28, 1956 UCC Paris Oct. 21, 1977 Phonograms Oct. 14, 1978 WTO Jan. 1, 1995 WCT March 6, 2002 WPPT Oct. 9, 2002 Jordan Berne July 28, 1999 (Paris) WTO April 11, 2000 Bilateral Dec. 17, 2001¹⁶	Kazakhstan¹⁷ UCC Geneva May 27, 1973 Berne April 12, 1999 (Paris) Phonograms Aug. 3, 2001 Kenya UCC Geneva Sept. 7, 1966 UCC Paris July 10, 1974 Phonograms April 21, 1976 SAT Aug. 25, 1979⁴ Berne June 11, 1993 (Paris) WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Kiribati Unclear Korea, North Unclear Korea, South UCC Geneva Oct. 1, 1987 UCC Paris Oct. 1, 1987 Phonograms Oct. 10, 1987 WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Berne Aug. 21, 1996 (Paris) Kuwait WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Kyrgyz Republic¹⁷ UCC Geneva May 27, 1973 WTO Dec. 20, 1998 Berne July 8, 1999 (Paris) WCT March 6, 2002 WPPT Aug. 15, 2002 Phonograms Oct. 12, 2002 Laos UCC Geneva Sept. 16, 1955 Latvia Berne Aug. 11, 1995 (Paris) Phonograms Aug. 23, 1997 WTO Feb. 10, 1999 WCT March 6, 2002 WPPT May 20, 2002 Lebanon Berne Sept. 30, 1947 (Rome)² UCC Geneva Oct. 17, 1959 Lesotho Berne Sept. 28, 1989 (Paris) WTO May 31, 1995 Liberia UCC Geneva July 27, 1956 Berne March 8, 1989 (Paris) Libya Berne Sept. 28, 1976 (Paris)² Liechtenstein Berne July 30, 1931 (Paris)² UCC Geneva Jan. 22, 1959 WTO Sept. 1, 1995 Phonograms Oct. 12, 1999 UCC Paris Nov. 11, 1999

Lithuania Berne Dec. 14, 1994 (Paris) Phonograms Jan. 27, 2000 WTO May 31, 2001 WCT March 6, 2002 WPPT May 20, 2002 Luxembourg Berne June 20, 1888 (Paris)² Bilateral June 29, 1910 UCC Geneva Oct. 15, 1955 Phonograms March 8, 1976 WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Macau WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Berne Dec. 20, 1999 (Paris) Macedonia Berne Sept. 8, 1991 (Paris) SAT Nov. 17, 1991 UCC Geneva July 30, 1997 UCC Paris July 30, 1997 Phonograms March 2, 1998 Madagascar Berne Jan. 1, 1966 (Brussels)² WTO Nov. 17, 1995 Malawi UCC Geneva Oct. 26, 1965 Berne Oct. 12, 1991 (Paris) WTO May 31, 1995 Malaysia Berne Oct. 1, 1990 (Paris) WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Maldives WTO May 31, 1995 Mali Berne March 19, 1962 (Paris)² WTO May 31, 1995 WCT April 24, 2002 WPPT May 20, 2002 Malta Berne Sept. 21, 1964 (Rome)² UCC Geneva Nov. 19, 1968 WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Mauritania Berne Feb. 6, 1973 (Paris)² WTO May 31, 1995 Mauritius UCC Geneva March 12, 1968 Berne May 10, 1989 (Paris) WTO Jan. 1, 1995	Mexico Bilateral Feb. 27, 1896 UCC Geneva May 12, 1957 BAC April 24, 1964 Berne June 11, 1967 (Paris)² Phonograms Dec. 21, 1973³ UCC Paris Oct. 31, 1975 SAT Aug. 25, 1979⁴ WTO Jan. 1, 1995 WCT March 6, 2002 WPPT May 20, 2002 Moldova1⁷ UCC Geneva May 27, 1973 Berne Nov. 2, 1995 (Paris) Phonograms July 17, 2000 WTO July 26, 2001 WCT March 6, 2002 WPPT May 20, 2002 Monaco Berne May 30, 1889 (Paris)² Bilateral Oct. 15, 1952 UCC Geneva Sept. 16, 1955 Phonograms Dec. 2, 1974 UCC Paris Dec. 13, 1974 Mongolia WTO Jan. 29, 1997 Berne March 12, 1998 (Paris) WCT Oct. 25, 2002 WPPT Oct. 25, 2002 Morocco Berne June 16, 1917 (Paris)² UCC Geneva May 8, 1972 UCC Paris Jan. 28, 1976 SAT June 30, 1983⁴ WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Mozambique WTO Aug. 26, 1995 Myanmar, Union of WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Namibia Berne March 21, 1990 (Paris) WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Nauru Unclear Nepal None Netherlands and Possessions Bilateral Nov. 20, 1899 Berne Nov. 1, 1912 (Paris)² UCC Geneva June 22, 1967 UCC Paris Nov. 30, 1985 Phonograms Oct. 12, 1993 WTO Jan. 1, 1995	New Zealand Bilateral Dec. 1, 1916 Berne April 24, 1928 (Rome)² UCC Geneva Sept. 11, 1964 Phonograms Aug. 13, 1976 WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Nicaragua⁶ BAC Dec. 15, 1913 UCC Geneva Aug. 16, 1961 SAT Aug. 25, 1979⁴ WTO Sept. 3, 1995 Phonograms Aug. 10, 2000 Berne Aug. 23, 2000 (Paris) WCT March 6, 2003 WPPT March 6, 2003 Niger Berne May 2, 1962 (Paris)² UCC Geneva May 15, 1989 UCC Paris May 15, 1989 WTO Dec. 13, 1996 Nigeria UCC Geneva Feb. 14, 1962 Berne Sept. 14, 1993 (Paris) WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Norway Berne April 13, 1896 (Paris)² Bilateral July 1, 1905 UCC Geneva Jan. 23, 1963 UCC Paris Aug. 7, 1974 Phonograms Aug. 1, 1978 WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Oman Berne July 14, 1999 (Paris) WTO Nov. 9, 2000 Pakistan Berne July 5, 1948 (Rome)² UCC Geneva Sept. 16, 1955 WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Palau Unclear Panama BAC Nov. 25, 1913 UCC Geneva Oct. 17, 1962 Phonograms June 29, 1974 UCC Paris Sept. 3, 1980 SAT Sept. 25, 1985 Berne June 8, 1996 (Paris) WTO Sept. 6, 1997 WCT March 6, 2002 WPPT May 20, 2002 Papua New Guinea WTO June 9, 1996

Paraguay BAC Sept. 20, 1917 UCC Geneva March 11, 1962 Phonograms Feb. 13, 1979 Berne Jan. 2, 1992 (Paris) WTO Jan. 1, 1995 WCT March 6, 2002 WPPT May 20, 2002 Peru BAC April 30, 1920 UCC Geneva Oct. 16, 1963 UCC Paris July 22, 1985 SAT Aug. 7, 1985 Phonograms Aug. 24, 1985 Berne Aug. 20, 1988 (Paris)² WTO Jan. 1, 1995 WCT March 6, 2002 WPPT July 18, 2002 Philippines Bilateral Oct. 21, 1948 Berne Aug. 1, 1951 (Paris)² WTO Jan. 1, 1995 WCT Oct. 4, 2002 WPPT Oct. 4, 2002 Poland Berne Jan. 28, 1920 (Paris)² Bilateral Feb. 16, 1927 UCC Geneva March 9, 1977 UCC Paris March 9, 1977 WTO July 1, 1995 Portugal Bilateral July 20, 1893 Berne March 29, 1911 (Paris)² UCC Geneva Dec. 25, 1956 UCC Paris July 30, 1981 WTO Jan. 1, 1995 SAT March 11, 1996 Qatar WTO Jan. 13, 1996 Berne July 5, 2000 (Paris) Romania Berne Jan. 1, 1927 (Paris)² Bilateral May 14, 1928 WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Phonograms Oct. 1, 1998 WCT March 6, 2002 WPPT May 20, 2002 Russia¹⁷ UCC Geneva May 27, 1973 SAT Dec. 25, 1991 UCC Paris March 9, 1995 Berne March 13, 1995 (Paris) Phonograms March 13, 1995	Rwanda Berne March 1, 1984 (Paris)² UCC Geneva Nov. 10, 1989 UCC Paris Nov. 10, 1989 WTO May 22, 1996 St. Kitts and Nevis Berne April 9, 1995 (Paris)² WTO Feb. 21, 1996 Saint Lucia Berne Aug. 24, 1993 (Paris)² WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Phonograms April 2, 2001 WCT March 6, 2002 WPPT May 20, 2002 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines UCC Geneva April 22, 1985 UCC Paris April 22, 1985 WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Berne Aug. 29, 1995 (Paris) San Marino None São Tomé and Principe Unclear Saudi Arabia UCC Geneva July 13, 1994 UCC Paris July 13, 1994 Senegal Berne Aug. 25, 1962 (Paris)² UCC Geneva July 9, 1974 UCC Paris July 10, 1974 WTO Jan. 1, 1995 WCT May 18, 2002 WPPT May 20, 2002 Serbia and Montenegro Berne June 17, 1930 (Paris)² UCC Geneva May 11, 1966 UCC Paris July 10, 1974 SAT Aug. 25, 1979⁴ Seychelles Unclear Sierra Leone WTO July 23, 1995 Singapore Bilateral May 18, 1987 WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Berne Dec. 21, 1998 (Paris) Slovakia UCC Geneva Jan. 6, 1960 UCC Paris April 17, 1980 Berne Jan. 1, 1993 (Paris)² Phonograms Jan. 1, 1993 WTO Jan. 1, 1995 WCT March 6, 2002 WPPT May 20, 2002	Slovenia UCC Geneva May 11, 1966 UCC Paris July 10, 1974 Berne June 25, 1991 (Paris)² SAT June 25, 1991 WTO July 30, 1995 Phonograms Oct. 15, 1996 WCT March 6, 2002 WPPT May 20, 2002 Solomon Islands WTO July 26, 1996 Somalia Unclear South Africa Bilateral July 1, 1924 Berne Oct. 3, 1928 (Brussels)² WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Spain Berne Dec. 5, 1887 (Paris)² Bilateral July 10, 1895 UCC Geneva Sept. 16, 1955 UCC Paris July 10, 1974 Phonograms Aug. 24, 1974 WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Sri Lanka Berne July 20, 1959 (Rome)² UCC Geneva Jan. 25, 1984 UCC Paris Jan. 25, 1984 WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Sudan Berne Dec. 28, 2000 (Paris) Suriname Berne Feb. 23, 1977 (Paris)² WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Swaziland WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Berne Dec. 14, 1998 (Paris) Sweden Berne Aug. 1, 1904 (Paris)² Bilateral June 1, 1911 UCC Geneva July 1, 1961 Phonograms April 18, 1973³ UCC Paris July 10, 1974 WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Switzerland Berne Dec. 5, 1887 (Paris)² Bilateral July 1, 1891¹⁴ UCC Geneva March 30, 1956 UCC Paris Sept. 21, 1993 SAT Sept. 24, 1993 Phonograms Sept. 30, 1993 WTO July 1, 1995 Syria Unclear

Tajikistan¹⁷ UCC Geneva May 27, 1973 Berne March 9, 2000 (Paris) Tanzania Berne July 25, 1994 (Paris) WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Thailand Bilateral Sept. 1, 1921 Berne July 17, 1931 (Paris)² WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Togo Berne April 30, 1975 (Paris)² WTO May 31, 1995 Tonga Berne June 14, 2001 (Paris) Trinidad and Tobago Berne Aug. 16, 1988 (Paris)² UCC Geneva Aug. 19, 1988 UCC Paris Aug. 19, 1988 Phonograms Oct. 1, 1988 WTO March 1, 1995 SAT Nov. 1, 1996 Tunisia Berne Dec. 5, 1887 (Paris)² UCC Geneva June 19, 1969 UCC Paris June 10, 1975 WTO March 29, 1995 Turkey Berne Jan. 1, 1952 (Paris)² WTO March 26, 1995	Turkmenistan¹⁷ UCC Geneva May 27, 1973 Tuvalu Unclear Uganda WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Ukraine17 UCC Geneva May 27, 1973 Berne Oct. 25, 1995 (Paris) Phonograms Feb. 18, 2000 WCT March 6, 2002 WPPT May 20, 2002 United Arab Emirates WTO April 10, 1996 United Kingdom Berne Dec. 5, 1887 (Paris)² Bilateral July 1, 1891¹⁴ UCC Geneva Sept. 27, 1957 Phonograms April 18, 1973³ UCC Paris July 10, 1974 WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Uruguay BAC Dec. 17, 1919 Berne July 10, 1967 (Paris)² Phonograms Jan. 18, 1983 UCC Geneva April 12, 1993 UCC Paris April 12, 1993 WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Uzbekistan¹⁷ UCC Geneva May 27, 1973	Vanuatu Unclear Vatican City Berne Sept. 12, 1935 (Paris)² UCC Geneva Oct. 5, 1955 Phonograms July 18, 1977 UCC Paris May 6, 1980 Venezuela UCC Geneva Sept. 30, 1966 Phonograms Nov. 18, 1982 Berne Dec. 30, 1982 (Paris)² WTO Jan. 1, 1995 UCC Paris Feb. 11, 1997 Vietnam Bilateral Dec. 23, 1998¹³ Bilateral Dec. 10, 2001 Yemen Unclear Zambia UCC Geneva June 1, 1965 Berne Jan. 2, 1992 (Paris)² WTO Jan. 1, 1995 Zimbabwe Berne April 18, 1980 (Rome)² WTO March 5, 1995

STATUTORY PROVISIONS

Reprinted below is section 104 of title 17 of the United States Code, as of March 1, 2003.

§ 104. Subject matter of copyright: National origin

Unpublished Works.-The works specified by sections 102 and 103, while unpublished, are subject to protection under this title without regard to the nationality or domicile of the author.
Published Works. The works specified by sections 102 and 103, when published, are subject to protection under this title if-
1. on the date of first publication, one or more of the authors is a national or domiciliary of the United States, or is a national, domiciliary, or sovereign authority of a treaty party, or is a stateless person, wherever that person may be domiciled; or
2. the work is first published in the United States or in a foreign nation that, on the date of first publication, is a treaty party; or
3. the work is a sound recording that was first fixed in a treaty party; or
4. the work is a pictorial, graphic, or sculptural work that is incorporated in a building or other structure, or an architectural work that is embodied in a building and the building or structure is located in the United States or a treaty party; or
5. the work is first published by the United Nations or any of its specialized agencies, or by the Organization of American States; or
6. the work comes within the scope of a Presidential proclamation. Whenever the President finds that a particular foreign nation extends, to works by authors who are nationals or domiciliaries of the United States or to works that are first published in the United States, copyright protection on substantially the same basis as that on which the foreign nation extends protection to works of its own nationals and domiciliaries and works first published in that nation, the President may by proclamation extend protection under this title to works of which one or more of the authors is, on the date of first publication, a national, domiciliary, or sovereign authority of that nation, or which was first published in that nation. The President may revise, suspend, or revoke any such proclamation or impose any conditions or limitations on protection under a proclamation.
For purposes of paragraph (2), a work that is published in the United States or a treaty party within 30 days after publication in a foreign nation that is not a treaty party shall be considered to be first published in the United States or such treaty party, as the case may be.
Effect of Berne Convention. No right or interest in a work eligible for protection under this title may be claimed by virtue of, or in reliance upon, the provisions of the Berne Convention, or the adherence of the United States thereto. Any rights in a work eligible for protection under this title that derive from this title, other Federal or State statutes, or the common law, shall not be expanded or reduced by virtue of, or in reliance upon, the provisions of the Berne Convention, or the adherence of the United States thereto.
Effect of Phonograms Treaties.-Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b), no works other than sound recordings shall be eligible for protection under this title solely by virtue of the adherence of the United States to the Geneva Phonograms Convention or the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty.

SOME POINTS TO REMEMBER REGARDING THE INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION OF LITERARY AND ARTISTIC WORKS

There is no such thing as an "international copyright" that will automatically protect an author's writings throughout the world. Protection against unauthorized use in a particular country basically depends on the national laws of that country. However, most countries offer protection to foreign works under certain conditions that have been greatly simplified by international copyright treaties and conventions. There are two principal international copyright conventions, the Berne Union for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Property (Berne Convention) and the Universal Copyright Convention (UCC).

An author who wishes copyright protection for his or her work in a particular country should first determine the extent of the protection available to works of foreign authors in that country. If possible, this should be done before the work is published anywhere, because protection may depend on the facts existing at the time of first publication.

If the country in which protection is sought is a party to one of the international copyright conventions, the work generally may be protected by complying with the conditions of that convention. Even if the work cannot be brought under an international convention, protection under the specific provisions of the country's national laws may still be possible. There are, however, some countries that offer little or no copyright protection to any foreign works. For current information on the requirements and protection provided by other countries, it may be advisable to consult an expert familiar with foreign copyright laws. The U.S. Copyright Office is not permitted to recommend agents or attorneys or to give legal advice on foreign laws.

FOOTNOTES

¹ "Paris" means the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works as revised at Paris on July 24, 1971 (Paris Act)
"Stockholm" means the said Convention as revised at Stockholm on July 14, 1967 (Stockholm Act) "Brussels" means the said Convention as revised at Brussels on June 26, 1948 (Brussels Act) "Rome" means the said Convention as revised at Rome on June 2, 1928 (Rome Act)
"Berlin" means the said Convention as revised at Berlin on Nov. 13, 1908 (Berlin Act).
NOTE: In each case the reference to Act signifies adherence to the substantive provisions of such Act only, e.g., Articles 1 to 21 and the Appendix of the Paris Act. Articles 22 to 38 deal with administration and structure.

² The Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works of Sept. 9, 1886, as revised at Paris on July 24, 1971, did not enter into force with respect to the United States until March 1, 1989.

³ The Convention for the Protection of Producers of Phonograms Against Unauthorized Duplication of Their Phonograms done at Geneva on Oct. 29, 1971, did not enter into force with respect to the United States until March 10, 1974.

⁴ The Convention Relating to the Distribution of Programme-Carrying Signals Transmitted by Satellite done at Brussels on May 21, 1974, did not enter into force with respect to the United States until March 7, 1985.

⁵ The government of the People's Republic of China views this treaty as not binding on the PRC. In the territory administered by the authorities on Taiwan the treaty is considered to be in force.

⁶ This country became a party to the Mexico City Convention, 1902, effective June 30, 1908, to which the United States also became a party, effective on the same date. As regards copyright relations with the United States, this Convention is considered to have been superseded by adherence of this country and the United States to the Buenos Aires Convention of 1910.

⁷ Date on which the accession by the German Empire became effective.

⁸ Bilateral copyright relations between Japan and the United States, which were formulated effective May 10, 1906, are considered to have been abrogated and superseded by the adherence of Japan to the UCC Geneva, effective April 28, 1956.

⁹ Bilateral copyright relations between the People's Republic of China and the United States of America were established, effective March 17, 1992, by a Presidential Proclamation of the same date, under the authority of section 104 of title 17 of the United States Code, as amended by the Act of Oct. 31, 1988 (Public Law 100-568, 102 Stat. 2853, 2855).

¹⁰ The dates of adherence by Germany to multilateral treaties include adherence by the Federal Republic of Germany when that country was divided into the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic. However, through the accession, effective Oct. 3, 1990, of the German Democratic Republic to the Federal Republic of Germany, in accordance with the German Unification Treaty of Aug. 31, 1990, the German Democratic Republic ceased, on the said date, to be a sovereign state. Previously, the German Democratic Republic had become party to the Paris Act of the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works on Feb. 18, 1978, but ceased to be a party to the said Convention on Oct. 3, 1990. The German Democratic Republic had also been a member of the Universal Copyright Convention, having become party to the Geneva text of the said Convention on Oct. 5, 1973, and party to the revised Paris text of the same Convention on Dec. 10, 1980.

¹¹ See also Czech Republic and Slovakia.

¹² Prior to the return of Hong Kong to China, bilateral copyright relations existed with Hong Kong through the United Kingdom (from Aug. 1, 1973), and Phonogram Convention Membership existed through the United Kingdom (from March 4, 1975).

¹³ Bilateral copyright relations between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the United States were established effective December 23, 1998, by Presidential Proclamation No. 7161 of that same date, at 63 Fed. Reg. 71571 (1998), under the authority of sections 104(b)(5) and 104A(g) of title 17 of the United States Code, as amended.

¹⁴ Bilateral copyright relations between the United States and Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland were established effective July 1, 1891, by Presidential Proclamation No. 3. of that same date, at 27 Stat. 981 (1891), under the authority of The Chase Act of 1891.

¹⁵ Bilateral copyright relations between the United States and Germany were established effective July 12, 1967, by Presidential Proclamation No. 3792 of that same date, at 32 Fed. Reg. 10341, under the authority of Copyright Act of 1909 amended at 55 Stat. 732.

¹⁶ Bilateral copyright relations between Jordan and the United States were established pursuant to the Agreement between the United States of America and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on the Establishment of a Free Trade Area, signed Oct. 24, 2000, and effective Dec. 17, 2001.

¹⁷ Each of the following Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan (but notthe CIS countries Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia) is a successor state to the Soviet Union's copyright treaty obligations, in particular, the obligations under the UCC Geneva, and accordingly is a member of the UCC Geneva effective May 27, 1973, the date the Soviet Union became a party. The successor status in each case was confirmed in a bilateral trade agreement between each of these countries and the United States, effective in each case on the date set forth below. Note that the successor status is consistent with the treatment by UNESCO (secretariat for the UCC) of these countries. The effective dates of the bilateral agreements with the United States confirming the successor status are as follows:

Azerbaijan (April 21, 1995)
Belarus (Feb. 16, 1993)
Georgia (Aug. 13, 1993)
Kazakhstan (Feb. 18, 1993)
Kyrgyz Republic (Aug. 21, 1992)
Moldova (July 2, 1992)
Russia (June 17, 1992)
Tajikistan (Nov. 24, 1993)
Turkmenistan (Oct. 25, 1993)
Ukraine (June 23, 1992)
Uzbekistan (Jan. 13, 1994)

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