Geneva - An international broadcasting treaty, that would give network, satellite, cable and possibly Webcasters exclusive rights over their broadcasts and ramp up piracy protections under international law, has been shelved by the U.N.'s World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), according to published reports.

In the works for over ten years, the proposed treaty had been supported by most broadcasters, large Webcasters and content owners, and opposed by digital civil liberties advocates, as well as companies including AT&T, Dell, Intel, Sony, TiVo and Verizon.

Some of those opposed believed the additional piracy protections would infringe on traditional fair use rights of broadcast material.

The WIPO had hoped to conclude negotiations on the treaty at a diplomatic conference later this year, but lack of accord during a preliminary session last week caused the organization to stall that plan.

"There was no agreement on any of the fundamental issues of the treaty," Paul Salmon, chairman of the U.S. delegation to the WIPO meeting, told the Associated Press.

"It is going to be a while before we return to convene a diplomatic conference," WIPO Deputy Director-General Michael Keplinger told Reuters.

Related Links:
http://tinyurl.com/2b2eyc (Reuters)

http://news.com.com/8301-10784_3-9733522-7.html

http://www.wipo.int