DIRECTIVE 2006/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL OF 12 DECEMBER 2006 ON THE TERM OF PROTECTION OF COPYRIGHT AND CERTAIN RELATED RIGHTS (CONSOLIDATED VERSION)

1. Council Directive 93/98/EEC of 29 October 1993 harmonizing the term of protection of copyright and certain related rights is considerably amended, which required the drafting of a clear and rational consolidated version.
2. The Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works2 and the international Convention for the Protection of Performers, Producers of Phonograms and Broadcasting Organizations (Rome Convention) envisage minimum duration of rights protection, whereas signatory countries are allowed to prescribe longer terms. A particular number of Community states have exercised such right, however, a certain number of EC countries have still not signed the Rome Convention. From the foregoing it can be concluded that Community member states differ i.e. their legislations differ in the stipulated duration of the protection of copyrights and related rights. Such differences could possibly prevent free movement of goods and services and distort competition within the common market. Therefore, a need arose to harmonize the laws of Community member states and enable smooth functioning of internal