Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works

Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works (Berne Convention) is international copyright agreement that mandates equal treatment of copyrighted works by signatories, known as Berne Union.

It was adopted in 1886 in Berne, Switzerland.

The convention requires signatory member countries to recognize copyrighted literary or artistic works in same way that its national copyrights are recognized.

Under it, all works (except cinematography and photography) are copyrighted for minimum 50 years term after death of author, but longer terms may be provided to related parties.

It also allows signatories to apply fair use of copyrighted works in other broadcasts or publications, as reflected in  WIPO Copyright Treaty, 1996.

India has been member of Berne Convention since April 1928.