General Information
This publication sets forth United States copyright relations of current interest with the other independent nations of the world.
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 several such treaties and conventions affecting copyright, including the Berne Union for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Property (Berne Convention); the Universal Copyright Convention (UCC); the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), one of several agreements comprising the Marrakesh Agreement of April 15, 1994, which created the World Trade Organization (WTO); and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) treaties, the WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT) and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT).
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.
List of Relations
How to Use This List
Each entry below gives a country name (and any alternate name) and a statement of copyright relations. The following abbreviations are used to refer to specific multilateral agreements or bilateral relations:
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 Act 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.
Note that “Berne (Paris)” means the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works as revised at Paris on July 24, 1971 (Paris Act). “Berne (Stockholm)” means the said Convention as revised at Stockholm on July 14, 1967 (Stockholm Act). “Berne (Brussels)” means the said Convention as revised at Brussels on June 26, 1948 (Brussels Act). “Berne (Rome)” means the said Convention as revised at Rome on June 2, 1928 (Rome Act). “Berne (Berlin)” means the said Convention as revised at Berlin on Nov. 13, 1908 (Berlin Act). In each case the reference to the 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.
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.