    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book II)]
    [July 28, 1997]
    [Page 1022]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Senate Transmitting World Intellectual Property
    Organization Treaties With Documentation
    July 28, 1997

    To the Senate of the United States:
        I transmit herewith for Senate advice and consent to ratification
    the World Intellectual Property Organization Copyright Treaty and the
    World Intellectual Property Organization Performances and Phonograms
    Treaty, done at Geneva on December 20, 1996, and signed by the United
    States on April 12, 1997. Also transmitted is the report of the
    Department of State with respect to the Treaties.
        These Treaties are in the best interests of the United States. They
    ensure that international copyright rules will keep pace with
    technological change, thus affording important protection against piracy
    for U.S. rightsholders in the areas of music, film, computer software,
    and information products. The terms of the Treaties are thus consistent
    with the United States policy of encouraging other countries to provide
    adequate and effective intellectual property protection.
        Legislation is required to implement certain provisions of the
    Treaties. Legislation is also required to ensure that parties to the
    Treaties are granted, under U.S. copyright law, the rights to which they
    are entitled under the Treaties. That legislation is being prepared and
    is expected to be submitted shortly.
        I recommend, therefore, that the Senate give early and favorable
    consideration to the WIPO Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and
    Phonograms Treaty, and give its advice and consent to ratification,
    subject to a declaration under Article 15(3) of the WIPO Performances
    and Phonograms Treaty described in the accompanying State Department
    report.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    July 28, 1997.