RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE IP/Q/CZE/1
4October 1996
ORGANIZATION(96-3957)
Original: English Council forTrade-Related Aspects
ofIntellectual Property Rights
REVIEW OFLEGISLATION ONCOPYRIGHT AND RELATED RIGHTS
Czech Republic1
Thepresent document reproduces theintroductory statement made bythedelegation ofthe
Czech Republic inthereview oflegislation oncopyright andrelated rights attheCouncil 'smeeting
of22to25July19962,thequestions puttoitandtheresponses given.
_______________
I. INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT
Ourcountry (Czechoslovakia inthepastandtheCzech Republic atpresent) hasbeenaMember
State oftheBerne Convention since 1921, oftheRome Convention since 1964 and,since 1991, it
hasbeenalsoaContracting Party totheConvention fortheProtection ofProducers ofPhonograms
againstUnauthorizedDuplicationoftheirPhonograms.TheCzechRepublicmadeitsnotificationwithout
prejudice totheprovisions ofparagraph 3ofArticle 65allowing thedelay offouryears inimplementing
theTRIPS Agreement forcountries intheprocess oftransformation from acentrally-planned intoa
market, free-enterprise economy. TheCzech Republic holds theviewthatitsnational legislation does
notrequire thepostponed application oftherespective TRIPS provisions.
TheCzech legislation oncopyright andrelated rights notified sofariscontained inthreeWTO
documents IP/N/1/CZE/C/1 to3.Thefirstdocument contains theActconcerning Literary, Scientific
andArtistic Works. ThisActdeals, initskeyparts, withtheconcept ofcopyright (Part1),withthe
rights ofperforming artists (Parts 2)andwiththerights ofphonogram producers andradioandtelevision
organizations (Part 3).Inthesecond document youmayfindtheActonCollective Administration
ofCopyright andRights Similar toCopyright. Thethirddocument covers threecopyright-related Acts,
namely theActonConditions ofProduction, Dissemination andFiling ofAudio-Visual Works, the
ActontheOperation ofRadio andTelevision Broadcast andtheActonStateFundoftheCzech Republic
toAssist andPromote theCzech Cinematography. Iwould liketostress thattheCzech Republic has
alsosubmitted inwriting thedescription ofother lawsandregulations, which iscontained indocument
IP/N/1/CZE/1 of19March 1996.
1TheCzech Republic 'snotification oflawsandregulations intheareaofcopyright andrelated rights under
Article 63.2 oftheAgreement hasbeen circulated indocuments IP/N/1/CZE/1 andIP/N/1/CZE/C/1-3.
2Theminutes ofthemeeting have been circulated indocument IP/C/M/8.IP/Q/CZE/1
Page2
Thefullcompatibility ofnational legislation withthespecial requirements hasbeensecured
byamendments thattookplace recently. These special requirements relate toborder measures pursuant
toSection 4oftheTRIPS Agreement, tocomputer programs protected asliterary works, torental
andlending andtotechnical protection ofworks.
Theamendments came intoeffect on22April 1996. Duetotechnical reasons, thecomplete
wording oftherecently amended Czech Copyright Actwaspublished on20June1996 yearinthe
Collection ofLaws under No.175/96. Inouropinion, theCzech Copyright Actisfullyconsistent
withtheTRIPS Agreement intheareaofcopyright andneighbouring rights anditprovides evenmore
extensive protection ofthese rights thanstipulated bytheTRIPS Agreement. TheCzech Republic
shallnotify therespective amendments inthenearfuture.
II. REPLIESTOQUESTIONSPOSEDBYTHEEUROPEANCOMMUNITIESANDTHEIR
MEMBER STATES
1. Could theCzech Republic specify indetail theprovisions intheCopyright Actwhich maylimit
theexclusive rights oftherightholder (Article 13oftheTRIPS Agreement) .
TheCzech Copyright Actcontains several basic principles which should beclarified prior to
theanswer. According toArticle 14,paragraph 1awork maybeused onlyupon theauthor 's
permission,shoulditnotbepermitteddirectlybythelaw.Paragraph2furtherstipulatesthattheauthor's
permission following fromthelawmaynotbeexcluded orreduced byagreement between theparties.
Paragraph 3setsupthatawork maybeusedwithout theauthor 'spermission onlyincases specified
inArticle 15.These principles apply partially alsototherights ofperformers.
TheCzech Copyright Acthasnolimitations andnoexceptions totheexclusive author 'sright
regarding non-voluntary licences forthesound recording ofmusical works corresponding toArticle 13,
paragraph 1oftheBerne Convention andhasnonon-voluntary licences forprimary broadcasting and
satellitecommunicationcorrespondingtoArticle11bis,paragraph2oftheBerneConvention.Exceptions
andlimitations according toArticles 9(2),10and10bisoftheBerne Convention areimplemented in
Article 15oftheCzech Copyright Actanddonotconflict withanormal exploitation ofthework and
donotunreasonably prejudice thelegitimate interests oftheauthors.
Thepermitted useofthework forprivate copying according toArticle 15,paragraph 2adoes
notapply tocomputer programs. Ontheother hand, regarding private copying theequitable
remuneration isgranted from unrecorded carriers.
Exclusiverightofperformersislimitedbycasesoffreeusageofperformancesandlegallicences.
Theuserdoesnotneedanyapproval andisnotobliged topayafeeforusing theperformance for
user'spersonal need(insuchacasetheperformers areentitled togetremuneration fromunrecorded
carriers) andforusing theperformance fromarecording orphonograms exclusively forscientific or
educational purposes andwithin theframework ofreporting about actual event byphotograph, film,
radio ortelevision (so-called unpaid reporting licence).
Theuserdoesnotneedapproval, however, heisobliged topayafeeinrespect ofmaking
therecording ofperformer 'sperformance realized forbroadcasting organization provided thatthe
recording istaken bythisorganization byitsownmeans foritsownbroadcasting, andfurther incase
ofbroadcasting theperformance byradio ortelevision provided thatitisdone from recording or
phonogram which wasmade withperformer 'sapproval.IP/Q/CZE/1
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Sound recording canbeused only with approval ofaproducer whoisentitled toget
remuneration. Producer 'sapproval isnecessary forbroadcasting ofsound recordings andphonograms
byradio ortelevision, formaking thereproductions ofsound recordings orphonograms forother than
ownpersonal need, forpublic performance ofsound recordings orphonograms, forlending andrental
ofsound recordings orphonograms. Producer ofphonograms isentitled togetremuneration alsofrom
unrecorded carriers andrental.
Radio orTVprogramme mayberebroadcasted, recorded forother thanownpersonal need,
andsuchrecording maybefurther reproduced orotherwise communicated tothepublic onlywiththe
approval oftheorganization having realized theprogramme. Broadcasting organizations havetheright
forcompensation except forthatcasewhen they transmit broadcasting ofother broadcasting
organizations.
Unpaid reporting licences andlicences forscientific andeducational purposes areusedboth
forproducers ofphonograms andbroadcasting organizations.
2. Howisthenotion "normal exploitation ofthework" defined intheCopyright Actorotherrelated
laws(Article 13oftheTRIPS Agreement)?
Thenotion "normal exploitation ofthework" isnotdirectly defined intheCopyright Act.
Thereason isthattheexceptions andlimitations, which arealways considered asaninterference with
theexclusive right ofauthors, areconfined tocertain special cases indicated inArticle 15.The
exceptions andlimitations cannot beinterpreted toalarger extent.
TheCopyright Actcontains provisions regarding theexercise ofauthor 'sright, forwhich
publishers ofacollection oftheworks, cartographic works andperiodicals aswellasproducers of
afilmoraworkexpressed insimilar manner areauthorized. According toArticle 17,alsotheemployer
hastherighttoexercise theauthor 'srights regarding thework created bytheemployee forfulfilment
ofhisduties resulting from hisemployment. Bythismeans, theCopyright Actgrants thejustified
interests ofrightholders andusers.
Inconnection withthecontracts ondissemination ofwork weusenormal exploitation ofthe
workasregards theform, purpose andextent ofdissemination ofawork. Especially author 'spermission
tousethework inamanner which isagreed inacontract, maynotbeextended totheuseofwork
which parties tothecontract could nothaveinmind ortothatonewhich wasunknown atthetime
ofconclusion ofasuchcontract.
3. DidtheCzech Republic apply, asof15April 1994, asystem ofequitable remuneration of
rightholders inrespect oftherental ofphonograms, andifso,isittheintention oftheCzech Government
tocontinue thispractise (Article 14/4oftheTRIPS Agreement)?
Yes.TheDecreeoftheMinistryofCultureNo.115/1991Coll.containstheprovisionsregarding
right ofauthors, performers andproducers ofphonograms onequitable remuneration inrespect of
therental ofphonograms. ThisDecree grants onecommon remuneration of10%ofthepriceofrental
ofphonograms toauthors, performers andproducers ofphonograms. Thisremuneration ismanaged
bytheCollecting Societies. Theposition oftheproducers ofphonograms wasfurther strengthened
bythelastamendment oftheCopyright Actin1996. According toArticle 45,thepermission ofthe
phonogram producer isrequired forlending andrental ofphonograms. Producers ofphonograms at
thistimeprefer saleofphonograms torental. Since 1January 1996, thenewActNo.237/1995 Coll.
onCollective Administration ofauthor 'srights isinforce. Theintention oftheCzech Government
is,therefore, tocontinue inthispractise.IP/Q/CZE/1
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III. REPLY TOAQUESTION POSED BYSWITZERLAND
1. Please indicate whether there areanyborder measures, criminal remedies andprovisional
measures intheCzech legislation.
IntheCzech Republic theamendment oftheCopyright Acthasbeen inforce since
22April 1996. AstheCzech representative saidatthebeginning ofthisreview, thenotification will
bemade assoonasanofficial translation ofthisActisfinished.
ThenewArticle 53aisasfollows:
(1) Authors,performingartistsandphonogramproducers,orpersonsauthorizedtoexercise
theirrights pursuant tothisAct,mayrequire fromcustoms authorities information about thecontents
andvolume ofimport ofgoods, which areofthenature ofreproductions ofworks ortheirsound,
visual oraudiovisual recordings, orgoods, which istoserve forproduction ofsuchrecordings astheir
carrier (blank carriers), andtoexamine customs documents forthepurpose ofestablishment, ifimport
ofsuchgoods fordissemination inthemarket isincompliance withthisAct.
(2) Thecustoms authority shall atawritten request ofpersons authorized pursuant to
paragraph 1suspend theprocedure ofrelease ofgoods forfreecirculation fortenworking days, if
there isajustified suspicion thatwithimport ofsuchgoods therights pursuant tothisActwould be
violated. Injustified cases theperiod ofsuspension oftheprocedure maybeextended byfurther ten
working days.
(3) Should theimporter ofgoods mentioned under paragraph 1notprove within theterm
pursuanttoparagraph2thathisimportisincompliancewithprovisionsofthisAct,thecustomsauthority
shallnotrelease thegoods infreecirculation.
(4) Provisions ofparagraph 1through 3shallapply analogously alsoforexport ofgoods
mentioned inparagraph 1.
TheCzech legislation contains alsocivilandcriminal remedies.
According tothespecial protection ofcopyrights andrights ofperforming artists, asstipulated
intheCopyright ActNo.35/1965 inconjunction withSection 39,paragraph 1ofthisAct,theauthor
whose rightwasinfringed maydemand, onthebasis ofCivil Law, thattheinfringement ofhis/her
rightisprohibited, theconsequences ofsuchinfringement orabuse areremoved (corrected) andthe
author receives theappropriate compensation. If,asaresult ofsuchaninfringement, asubstantial
injury inkindhasbeencaused, theauthor shallbeentitled toreceive amonetary compensation provided
another form ofcompensation hasturned outtobeinadequate. Theamount ofsuch monetary
compensation shallbedetermined bythecourt. Asforcivilandjudicial procedures, thecourt may
banthedistribution oftangible publications which were wrongfully usedandorder theillegal user
todestroy therespective publications athis/her expense.
Criminal procedure enables inthecaseofinfringements ofcopyright toinvolve imprisonment
uptotwoyears, monetary fine,orseizure ofthething. Iftheculprit has,through theinfringement,
received asubstantial benefit orthescope ofhis/her actissubstantial, thepunishment isfrom6months
to5years imprisonment, monetary fineorforfeiture ofthething.IP/Q/CZE/1
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IV. REPLIES TOQUESTIONS POSED BYTHE UNITED STATES
1. Please explain whether andhowthelawoftheCzech Republic provides protection forworks,
phonograms andperformances fromother WTO Members, andwhether andhowitdoessoonthebasis
ofnational treatment, asrequired byTRIPS Article 3(generally, withrespect toallcopyrights and
neighbouring rights) andArticle 9.1(incorporating Berne Article 5(1)). Inparticular, please explain
hownational treatment isafforded withrespect tothedistribution oflevies forprivate copying under
therelevant provisions ofthelawoftheCzech Republic.
TheCzechlegislationprovidesprotectionforworksandperformancesfromotherWTOMembers
onthebasisofnational treatment according toArticle 50paragraphs 2,4and5.Relevant provisions
oftheCopyright Actreadasfollows:
(2) Toworks offoreign nationals theprovisions ofthisActshall apply pursuant to
international treaties, andifnosuchtreaties exist, theirreciprocity shallbeguaranteed.
(4) Copyright relating totheworks offoreign nationals maynotlastlonger thanthatin
thecountry oforigin ofthework.
(5) Above mentioned provisions shallapply peranalogiam alsotoperforming artists and
theirperformances.
Theinternational treaty mentioned inparagraph 2isinteraliatheTRIPS Agreement. We
would liketostress thattheCzech Copyright Actprovides protection forwork offoreign authors and
forperformers onthelevelofnational treatment andtotheextent provided byinternational agreements
towhich theCzech Republic isacontracting party. Therights ofproducers ofphonograms and
broadcasting organizations areprotected onthebasis ofinternational agreements orifthereciprocity
isgranted.
TheCopyright Actinvolves theprovisions regarding private copying inArticle 13paragraphs 2
and3.Theremunerationforprivatecopyingisgrantedtoauthors,performers,producersofphonograms
andbroadcasting organizations. Broadcasters shallnotenjoy sucharightinthecasethattheytransmit
broadcasting ofother broadcasters.
Theremuneration issubject tothecollective administration andforblank tapes twocollective
organizations operating inthisfield. Theremuneration isprovided onthebasisofblank tapes'sales
price'spercentage. Collective societies distribute theremuneration toauthors, performers andproducers
ofphonogram 'sbroadcasters andalsotoforeign collective societies onthebasis oftheiragreement.
2. DoestheCzech Republic apply the"rule oftheshorter term" tophonograms andperformances
fromother WTO Members? Ifso,please explain howyoujustify suchaction under TRIPS Article 4?
TheCzech Republic does notapply the"rule oftheshorter term" tophonograms and
performances fromother WTO Members. Thetermofprotection ofperformers isfiftyyears starting
fromtheendoftheyearinwhich arecording ofperformance wasmade. Thesame period isadopted
forproducers ofphonograms anditstarts attheendoftheyearwhen suchrecording wasmade.
3. Please explain whether andhowtheCzech Republic protects against boththedirect andindirect
reproduction ofphonograms asrequired byTRIPS Article 14.2, including bydigital transmission in
thecontext ofinteractive services.IP/Q/CZE/1
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According toArticle 46oftheCzech Copyright Act,inwhich rights ofphonograms producers
arestipulated, thepermission ofthephonogram 'sproducer isrequired forbroadcasting ofsound
recordings andphonograms byradio ortelevision, forproduction ofreproduction ofphonograms for
other thanownpersonal use,forpublic performance ofsound recording andforlending andrental.
Reproduction ofphonograms bydigital transmission inthecontext ofinteractive services is
notexpressis verbis inourCopyright Actbutaswehaveaverybroad provision regarding publication
ofthework, itcanbeusedalsoforthedigital transmission providing thattheexclusive permission
ofauthors, performers andproducers isavailable.
4. PleaseexplainwhetherandhowtheCzechRepublicprovidesfullretroactiveprotectiontoworks,
phonograms andperformances fromother WTO Members, asrequired byTRIPS Articles 9.1,14.6
and70.2, eachofwhich incorporate byreference orrelyuponBerne Article 18.Please givethedate
backtowhich suchprotection extends withrespect toeachcategory ofsubject matter.
TheCzech Republic provides fullprotection toworks, phonograms andperformances from
other WTO Members asrequired byTRIPS Articles 9.1,14.6and70.2. Author 'sworks areprotected
fiftyyears aftertheirdeath, itmeans since 1946.
Therightofphonogram producers isprotected fiftyyears since theendoftheyearinwhich
thesound recording wasmade, itmeans since 1946aswell. Therightofperformers isprotected fifty
years starting attheendoftheyearinwhich recording ofperformance wasmade.