A win! WIPO will study audiovisual authors' rights

At its 47th session that closed at the end of last week, the Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) discussed and adopted the proposal of the African group for a global study on "The Rights of Audiovisual Authors and their Payment Mechanisms for the Exploitation of their Works".

Since 2023, the SAA and CISAC have been advocating for an evidence-based understanding of how the rights of audiovisual authors (with a focus on screenwriters and directors) function around the world and deliver remuneration for the multiple exploitation of audiovisual works on different media. Following the decision of the Committee, WIPO secretariat will now prepare the study.

The SAA looks forward to contributing with its expertise and supporting the development of this important WIPO study.

This decision recognises the vital role of audiovisual authors in our cultural and creative ecosystems. This is a step towards building a fairer and more sustainable audiovisual sector.

"We would like to thank all the delegations, particularly Côte d'Ivoire, for making this possible. We stand committed to ensuring that authors' rights remain at the heart of the global copyright agenda."

Cécile Despringre, SAA Secretary General