WFFMM-NAAM Conference 2022

This session will address a number of issues in the international aspects of copyrights as well as other issues that can arise in international transactions – buying, selling, importing, etc. With respect to copyright, although an “international copyright registration” does not exist, many nations are parties to various international copyright treaties and conventions that extend protection to foreign works. For example, in addition to other treaties and conventions, the United States is a party to the Berne Convention, the Buenos Aires Convention, and the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), each of which aim to set certain minimum standards of protection in member nations. While the international copyright treaties and conventions attempt to provide a harmonization between the copyright laws of individual nations, the specific rights extended to the author of a work in a foreign country is highly dependent upon that nation’s specific copyright laws. Copyright is, however, only one aspect of the international issues that can arise in the acquisition abroad or borrowing from abroad of property for exhibition purposes. Source country ownership laws can impact the export, import and right to possess many types of property – including automobiles. Furthermore, clearance of U.S. customs can lead to unintended consequences, including potential seizure and forfeiture of property improperly imported in the United States. Many of these aspects will be explored during this session.