Bern Convention

Bern Convention: see copyright.

officially International Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works

International agreement adopted in Bern, Switz., in 1886 to protect copyrights on an international basis. It was modified several times throughout the 20th century. Its signatories constitute the Bern Copyright Union. Each member country grants the authors of other member countries the same rights that its laws grant its own nationals. Protected works include every kind of literary, scientific, and artistic production, regardless of mode of expression, including paintings, sculptures, architectural plans, and musical arrangements. Copyright is now protected for 70 years after the creator's death.

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The Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats 1979, also known as the Bern Convention (or Berne Convention), came into force on June 1, 1982.

It has now been signed by the 39 member states of the Council of Europe, together with the European Union, Monaco, Burkina Faso, Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal.

Algeria, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cape Verde, the Holy See, San Marino and Russia are among non-signatories that have observer status at meetings of the committee.

Aims and objectives

The convention sets out to:

• conserve wild flora and fauna and their natural habitats;
• promote co-operation between states;
• monitor and control endangered and vulnerable species;
• assist with the provision of assistance concerning legal and scientific issues.

The convention lead to the creation in 1998 of the Emerald network of Areas of Special Conservation Interest (ASCIs) throughout the territory of the parties to the convention, which operates alongside the European Union's Natura 2000 programme.

It also provides for the monitoring and control of endangered species, and the provision of assistance concerning legal and scientific issues.

Appendices

Four appendices set out particular species for protection. They are regularly updated by the Standing Committee, who are advised by a number of Expert Groups:

• strictly protected flora species - Appendix I
• strictly protected fauna species - Appendix II
• protected fauna species - Appendix III
• prohibited means and methods of killing, capture and other forms of exploitation - Appendix IV

All species of reptiles and amphibia, and most birds are included in the appendices

See also

• Environmental agreements
• Red Data Book of the Russian Federation

External links

• Text of treaty and appendices
• Council of Europe environment and sustainable development Web site