Consultation: Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances

The UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is seeking views on how best to implement the Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances

The IPO is keen to hear from stakeholders including performers, broadcasters, producers, Collective Management Organisations and users of audiovisual works.

The Beijing Treaty is an international agreement to provide intellectual property (IP) rights in audiovisual performances, including those by actors, musicians, dancers and other performers that are incorporated into films, television programmes and other audiovisual recordings.

The UK supports the Beijing Treaty and had signed it in 2013 but was not able to implement or ratify it independently while a member of the EU. Now that the UK has left the EU, the government is resolved to do so.

Following an initial call for views in 2021, the evidence appears to show support for two preferred options for implementation:

• implement the Treaty and introduce exclusive rights of broadcasting and/or communication to the public for audiovisual performers
• implement the Treaty and introduce right of equitable remuneration for the broadcasting and/or communication to the public of audiovisual performances

This consultation builds on the Call for Views by seeking views and evidence on the impact of each option. It is also an opportunity to comment on the practical and legal aspects of the proposed draft regulations needed to implement the required changes to UK law.

Find out more about this open consultation.

You can respond online or by email to BeijingTreatyConsultation@ipo.gov.uk.

First published 3 October 2023