Approved legislation: Amendment to the Copyright Law

Purpose: Adapts the law to international technical standards in the WIPO treaty on copyright and the WIPO treaty on artistic and phonographic works, as well as harmonizing legal terminology with EU law. It obliges cable operators to sign copyright contracts for the rebroadcast of programming available to the public through other broadcasters for free by January 1, 2003. It also introduces copyright fees of up to 3% of the retail price of reprographic equipment (photocopy machines, scanners, faxes, etc.) and products used to record copyrighted material (CDs, cassette tapes, paper). Affected: Recording companies, broadcasters, cable operators, publishers, artists, photographers, other copyright owners, reprographic equipment producers and importers and producers of CDs, cassette tapes and paper. Timing: Signed by the President in November and awaits publication in the Dziennik Ustaw. Prepared by CEC Government for WBJ/Poland A.M.