European broadcasters, represented by the Association of Commercial Television and Video on Demand Services in Europe (ACT), the Association of European Radios (AER) and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) support the work of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in pursuing the adoption of a WIPO Broadcasting Organizations Treaty to protect this content from illegal exploitation. The treaty would harmonise the protection granted to broadcasting organizations by setting minimum standards internationally.

The Third Revised Draft Text of the WIPO Broadcasting Organizations Treaty (SCCR/44/3) is a balanced compromise aimed at protecting the programme-carrying signal. The amendments have not only improved the overall level of protection but also guaranteed the correct implementation of Treaty obligations, regardless of domestic protection measures. It serves as a strong basis for finalising the treaty text with the aim of convening a Diplomatic Conference for the Treaty's adoption.

In this context, European broadcasters call upon WIPO Member States:

• to reach a consensus on key outstanding issues
• to recommend the WIPO General Assembly to convene a Diplomatic Conference for the adoption of the WIPO Broadcasting Organizations Treaty

Read our full joint statement to the right