The 1996 WIPO Copyright Treaty entered into force on March 6, 2002, following accession by the required number of 30 countries to do so, in this case, the Gabonese Republic.

The 1996 WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty will enter into force on May 20, 2002 as the Republic of Honduras became the 30th country to ratify this treaty.

As outlined in our July 1997 Newsletter (N.S. 188), these treaties attempt to harmonize and clarify principles, rights and remedies under copyright law, particularly with respect to the use of copyrighted works over the Internet and performances by musicians and others.