The WIPO Broadcasting Treaty has just passed the next step on its way to a Diplomatic Conference in 2007. The meeting of the WIPO Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights has just recommended that the WIPO General Assembly convene a Diplomatic Conference in July 2007.

Overruling the objections of a number of WIPO Member States (including the United States), the following recommendations were grudgingly adopted under a silent procedure:

Day 3, 13 September 2006.

Meeting outcome (as adopted by silent procedure, at 5:56 p.m.):

1. A diplomatic conference on the protection of broadcasting organizations be convened from July 11 - August 1, 2007 in Geneva. The objective of this diplomatic conference is to negotiate and conclude a WIPO treaty on the protection of broadcasting organizations, including cablecasting organizations. The scope of the treaty will be confined on the protection of broadcasting and cablecasting organizations in the traditional sense.

2. The draft basic proposal SCCR15/2 will be the Basic Proposal and form the basis of the discussions with the understanding that all delegations can submit proposals at the Diplomatic Conference.

3. The meeting of a preparatory committee will be convened for January 2007 to prepare the necessary modalities of the diplomatic conference. The preparatory committee considers the draft rules of procedure to be presented for adoption to the diplomatic conference, the lists of states, as well as intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to be invited to participate in the conference, as well as other necessary organizational matters.

4. A special meeting of two days to clarify outstanding matters will be convened in conjunction with the preparatory committee.

5. The Secretariat of the WIPO will organize, in co-operation with the Member States concerned, and at the request by the Member States, consultations and information meetings on the matters of the diplomatic conference. The meetings will be hosted by the inviting Member State.