U.S. Commerce Department Collaborates on Georgia's Copyright Law Amendments
On May 17, 2023, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP) actively participated in a Public-Private Dialogue (PPD) on Georgia’s proposed Copyright Law amendments for Collective Management Organizations (CMOs). The PPD included collaboration with the Culture Committee of the Georgian Parliament, Georgia’s Intellectual Property Agency “Sakpatenti,” and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Since March 2021, CLDP has been engaged in a series of discussions on CMOs in Georgia due to concerns raised by stakeholders from the public and private sectors. The concerns primarily revolved around the existence of two competing CMOs, ongoing lawsuits between these organizations, and the potential impact on the established system of collective management.
During the recent PPD, CLDP and selected experts provided valuable feedback on the proposed amendments. Their insights will contribute to the refinement and implementation of the amendments, reflecting a commitment to fostering a robust and effective framework for copyright management in Georgia.