Estonia

[EE] Changes Regarding Reservations to Article 12 of the International Convention for the Protection of Performers, Producers of Phonograms and Broadcasting Organisations

IRIS 2003-4:1/32

Monika Silvia Valm

Norwegian Research Centre for Computers & Law, Faculty of Law, University of Oslo

When the Estonian Parliament first ratified the International Convention for the Protection of Performers, Producers of Phonograms and Broadcasting Organisations (the 1961 Rome Convention) on 9 December 1999, a reservation was introduced as regards Article 12 of the Convention which concerns remuneration for the use or reproduction of phonograms for broadcasting or communication to the public. Under Article 16(1)(a)(i) of the Convention, Estonia declared that it would not apply the provisions of Art 12.

On 6 November 2002, the Estonian Parliament made changes to this reservation. Estonia has now declared that it will apply Article 16(1)(a)(iv) of the Convention, whereby Article 12 will be applied on the basis of reciprocity. According to the Convention's Article 16(2), this amendment will become effective six months from the date of deposit of the instrument.