There are a number of international agreements which deal with copyright and related rights. Most industrialised nations are party to these agreements.
These include:
The Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works (1886-1970)
The Rome Convention for the Protection of Performers, Phonogram Producers and Broadcasting Organisations (1961)
The TRIPS Agreement (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) (1994)
The WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) Copyright and Performances and Phonograms Treaties (1996)
The World Intellectual Property Organisation states that the purpose of copyright is:
“To encourage a dynamic creative culture, while returning value to creators so that they can lead a dignified economic existence, and to provide widespread, affordable access to content for the public.”
International agreements about copyright law protect your content worldwide – that’s an important point to remember; and in the internet age, it’s one worth considering before you sign international rights away.
Writer's Contracts 