“Ratify The Internet Treaties”: US Backs WCT And WPPT To Put Money In African Artists’ Pockets

By Ross Moyo

To turn IP protection into real revenue, the US is pushing African countries to ratify 2 key treaties.

Ms. Maya Glenn of The Breeze asked the USPTO IP Attaché for Sub-Saharan Africa, Katherine M. Hiner: “What concrete reforms does the United States support to ensure that stronger IP protection translates into higher Revenue for African creators?”

Hiner responded that: “Two things I really want to highlight are the WCT, the Copyright Treaty, and the WPPT, the Performances and Phonograms Treaty. Collectively we call them the WIPO Internet Treaties. When countries ratify those and fully implement them at the national level, they provide a legal structure to help artists be fully compensated for their work.”

She added that this includes Technical Protection Measures and Rights Management Information to support streaming and digital downloads — models that have opened markets where traditional distribution failed.

Hiner also highlighted the need for well-functioning Collective Management Organisations, CMOs to handle large-scale licensing where direct licensing is impossible.