Broadcast Treaty will stifle tech innovation, freedom of expression and access to knowledge

There are two distinct concerns connected to the proposed WIPO Broadcast Treaty, one is structural / organisational – in terms of a lack of democratic accountability – and the other relates to an unprecedented expansion of protectionist legislation.

Two years on from the proposed ‘Development Agenda at WIPO’, member states, NGOs and technology firms remain unhappy at this global legislative body’s evident lack of democratic accountability. WIPO officials this week paid little attention to objections from India, Brazil, Argentina, South Africa or even the United States: “Despite WIPO’s claim that it is ‘member-driven’ and ‘consensus based’ in its decision making, SCCR [Standing Committee on Copyrights and Related Rights] Chairman Liedes unilaterally decided it would be the recommendation of the Committee to the WIPO General Assembly to convene a diplomatic conference in July 2007 to finalize the treaty,” said Robin Gross, Director of IP Justice.

As for the specific content of this new legal code, Boing Boing reports it will “give webcasters the right to steal from public domain, Creative Commons and GPL.” We are yet to consider the proposals in detail so have no firm policy, however the creation of broad, new IP rights without empirical certainty of their economic, social and cultural benefit is quite clearly mistaken.

We are very keen to hear your opinions on these concerns.

The UK Podcasters Association have a petition to WIPO against the proposed legislation.

Further information / links on our Broadcast Treaty wiki page