| Many people are surprised to learn there is no | | | | Someone who works in international copyright law will |
| international copyright law. Yes, that is right. There is | | | | tell you that it is different than most other sectors of |
| not an international copyright law that will protect your | | | | law. It involves knowing the copyright law of two or |
| work on the other side of the world. However, it is | | | | more countries. Every country has their own way of |
| important to note that most countries do offer some | | | | granting and protecting someone's copyright. The |
| form of protection known as "foreign" works. | | | | individual criteria of each country must be taken into |
| International conventions and treaties have done a lot | | | | consideration when you are dealing with international |
| to protect owners of copyrights around the world. | | | | copyright law. Some countries do not have any |
| With the world seemingly becoming smaller every day, | | | | intellectual property rights and some countries even |
| the United States took a look at its stance on the | | | | grant more copyright protections than the United |
| European copyright treaty known as the Berne | | | | States. International copyright laws involve |
| Convention. Basically, the Berne Convention of 1886 | | | | understanding international treaties and conventions, like |
| involved European nations coming together to seek a | | | | the Berne Treaty and WIPO Copyright Treaty. If you |
| uniform copyright law to keep their copyright owners | | | | are interested in pursuing a degree in law, you may |
| from having to register for copyrights in individuals | | | | want to explore the international copyright law sector. |
| European countries. The United States signed on to | | | | With the world becoming one big neighborhood, you will |
| the Berne Convention introduced made it into a U.S. | | | | probably not lack work. |
| law known as the Berne Implementation Act of 1988. | | | | People with copyrighted works need to be aware that |
| If you are seeking to have your work protected in a | | | | there are differences in the copyright laws in some |
| particular country, you need to find out what kind of | | | | nations. While it is true the United States has signed |
| protection foreign authors have in that country. Some | | | | treaties with some nations, your work will not be |
| countries offer little or no protection to foreign authors. | | | | protected in every country of the world. As stated, the |
| The U.S. Copyright Office is not allowed to give | | | | United States is a member of the Berne Treaty. In |
| authors recommendations or the names of attorneys | | | | addition, the United States is a member of the WIPO |
| or agents that could help them understand foreign | | | | Copyright Treaty. This treaty works in conjunction with |
| copyright laws. However, with a little investigation it is | | | | the Berne Treaty, yet it also covers and gives |
| not hard to find someone who is an expert on foreign | | | | protection to databases and computer programs. If |
| copyright law. These individuals can help you learn | | | | you would like more information on international |
| more about copyright protection and how your work is | | | | copyright law, you should check with an attorney who |
| deemed in a foreign country. | | | | specializes in international copyright law. |