What is the primary purpose of the Berne Convention established in 1886?

The primary purpose of the Berne Convention, established in 1886, is to ensure minimum copyright protection for creative works. This international treaty was aimed at standardizing and enforcing copyright laws among its member countries, thereby safeguarding the rights of authors and creators.

By establishing a framework where authors have the right to control the use of their works, the Convention requires member states to provide a baseline level of protection, which includes the recognition of an author's moral and economic rights. This means that authors have the ability to prevent unauthorized use or reproduction of their works, regardless of where in the world the infringement occurs, as long as the country is a signatory to the Convention. This focus on copyright protection provides a crucial mechanism to encourage creativity, innovation, and the production of cultural materials by ensuring that creators can benefit financially from their work.

While promoting international trade in artistic works, sharing ideas among artists, and regulating digital copyrights are important aspects of the art and intellectual property landscape, they are not the primary goals of the Berne Convention itself. The Convention’s core mission is about establishing and maintaining fundamental copyright protections for authors across different jurisdictions.