United States of America

Denmark

Copyright and Related Rights

1. Please explain whether and how Danish law provides protection for works, phonograms and performances from other WTO Members, and whether and how it does so on the basis of national treatment, as required by TRIPS Article 3 (generally, with respect to all copyrights and neighbouring rights) and Article 9.1 (incorporating Berne Article 5(1)). In particular, please explain how national treatment is afforded with respect to the distribution of blank tape levies under Articles 39 to 46 of the Danish Copyright Law.

General remarks As indicated in the questions, they are partly based on an outdated version of the Danish Copyright Act. The present Act on Copyright (Law No. 395 of 14 June 1995) came into force on 1 July 1996. The full text in English was notified to the TRIPS Council in April 1995. The application of the Danish Copyright Act with respect to WTO Members is governed by Section 17 of Ordinance No. 964 of 12 December 1995. Answer As regards the protection of works Section 17(1) of the Ordinance in general applies the principle of national treatment. As regards the protection afforded by the TRIPS Agreement to performing artists and producers of phonograms Section 17(2) applies the principle of national treatment. According to Sections 18 and 19 of the Ordinance blank tape levy, cf. Sections 39-49 of the Danish Copyright Act, is afforded to works, performances, photographs etc., originating in the European Economic Area and with respect to works, performances, photographs etc., originating in other countries, provided that in the country in question a remuneration scheme has been implemented for blank tapes which provides a possibility for payment of remuneration to Danish rightholders.