EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES – ENFORCEMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS FOR MOTION PICTURES AND TELEVISION PROGRAMS
Document: Notification of Mutually Agreed Solution
Date: 26 March 2001
Document codes: WT/DS124/2; WT/DS124/1; WT/DS125/1; IP/D/13
Complainant: U.S.
Respondent: EU
Dispute stage: Panel
Agreements cited: Art. I, II, VII  GATT 1994Art. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, Annex I  Customs valuationArt. X  GATT 1994Art. 8, 9, 11, 22  Customs valuation

EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES – ENFORCEMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
RIGHTS FOR MOTION PICTURES AND TELEVISION PROGRAMS
Notification of Mutually Agreed Solution
The following communication, dated 20 March 2001, from the Permanent Mission of the
United States, the Permanent Mission of Greece and the Permanent Delegation of the European
Commission to the Chairman of the Dispute Settlement Body, is circulated pursuant to Article 3.6 of
the DSU.
The United States of America, Greece and the European Communities wish to notify the
Dispute Settlement Body that they reached a mutually satisfactory solution to the matter raised by the
Government of the United States in and dated 7 May 1998 concerning the
obligations of the European Communities and Greece under the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects
of Intellectual Property Rights to ensure that the enforcement system in Greece permits effective
action against copyright infringement by television stations and constitutes a deterrent to further
infringements.
With a view to enhancing the effectiveness of procedures for the enforcement of intellectual
property rights, Greece passed legislation on 13 October 1998 (Law 2644/98), Article 17 of which
provides an additional enforcement remedy for copyright holders whose works were infringed by
television stations operating in Greece.
- This legislation provides for the immediate closure of television stations that infringe
intellectual property.
- Over the past years, Greece has taken action under Article 17 to close down four television
stations that were proven to have broadcast illegally US copyrighted works.
- Since March 1998, estimated levels of television piracy in Greece have fallen significantly
and the criminal convictions for television piracy have also been issued in Greece during this
time.
1. The United States of America, Greece and the European Communities agree on the need to
maintain adequate legislation for the protectio n and effective enforcement of copyright and
related rights concerning audiovisual works.
2. Greece reaffirms that its legal enforcement systems will continue to permit effective prompt
action against copyright infringement by television stations, and constitute an effective
deterrent to further infringements.

IP/D/13/Add.1

3. Greece will continue to apply effective deterrence against any increase in the level of
television piracy in Greece and to this end the Government of the United States will
encourage contacts between US copyright holders and the Greek authorities, on the
legitimacy and authenticity of specific claims to copyright and related rights.
4. Greece will continue to enforce Article 17 of Law 2644/98, Article 4 of Law 2328/95, the
Copyright Law and the relevant provisions of Greek legislation ensuring an effective
deterrent against piracy.
5. Greece will employ its best endeavours to achieve effective administrative supervision of
television stations in relation to compliance with copyright and related laws concerning
audiovisual works.
6. The United States of America, Greece and the European Communities will continue contacts
aimed at exchanging information and views of the effective enforcement of international
obligations and national legislation.
7. Based on these developments, the United States of America, Greece and the European
Communities have agreed to terminate consultations on this matter and the United States
wishes formally to withdraw this matter from further attention under the provisions of the
Dispute Settlement Understanding.
8. This Agreement is without prejudice to the rights or obligations of the United States of
America, Greece and the European Communities under the TRIPS Agreement.
(s.) Mr. Dimitris Karaitidis (s.) Ms. Rita D. Hayes
Ambassador and Permanent Representative Ambassador and Permanent Representative
Permanent Mission of Greece Permanent Mission of the United States
(s.) Mr. Carlo Trojan
Ambassador and Permanent Representative
Permanent Delegation of the European Commission