Note from the Editor

The 33rd General Conference of UNESCO mandated the Organization to play a proactive role in the discussion of the draft for an international instrument on the protection of the rights of broadcasting organizations currently being discussed at WIPO so that the objectives of the promotion of freedom of expression and universal access to information and knowledge are not hindered by the provisions of the said instrument. The study of Patrícia Akester on the Draft WIPO Broadcasting Treaty and its impact on the Freedom of Expression, published in the April-June issue of the Copyright Bulletin, was commissioned by UNESCO in the framework of the above mandate.

In the light of the on-going international discussion on the update of the rights of broadcasting organizations, the ‘broadcasters’ topic remains in the focus of the current issue as well. “The Broadcasters’ Neighbouring Right: Impossible to understand” by Dr Werner Rumphorst, Director of the Legal Department of the European Broadcasting Union, contains some reflections on the conclusions of P. Akester’s study and presents the point of view of one the major international broadcasters’ associations. All views expressed are those of the author and do not affect, nor pre-empt any official position of UNESCO’s Secretariat or its Member States.