Developing countries and copyright in the information age - the functional equivalent implementation of the WCT
Abstract
Digital technology has had a profound impact on copyright law. The
implementation of the WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT) and the enforcement of
technological protection measures have led to disparate forms of copyright
protection for digital and analogue media. The balance between authors’ rights
and the right of the public to access copyright works has been distorted.
Copyright law is playing an ever-increasing crucial role in the Information
Society. Developing countries are especially disadvantaged by diminished
access to works. In this article it is argued that adherence to the principle of
functional equivalence in implementing the anti-circumvention provisions of the
WCT will ensure that the copyright balance is maintained and will advance the
development agenda.