BILATERAL COOPERATION: LITHUANIA

The 11-month programme “Strengthening the Office of Copyright and Related Rights” with a budget of 670 000 euros was for Lithuania only.

Awarded to GESAC as the outcome of competitive tendering in 2000, this programme followed on from and extended the PHARE regional programme. This technical assistance and co-operation programme for Lithuania alone was administered on a decentralized basis by the Lithuanian authorities and the Commission Delegation in Vilnius. 

The aim was to minimise the IPR protection gaps between Lithuania and the European Union (bringing the laws up to standard, enforcement of the law and combating piracy). The programme beneficiaries were the key government and nongovernmental organisations in charge of enforcing the rules on copyright and related rights: the Ministry of Culture’s copyright division and the collective management societies LATGA-A (copyright), AGATA (related rights).

Measures taken under this programme included carrying out studies and analyses, running training and awareness-building activities, supplying equipment and resource materials. GESAC’s programme delivery was assisted by the services of experts from different backgrounds and nationalities: university academics, members of the national legal service, heads of collective management societies, lawyers, etc.

Ambitious aims were delivered to a very tight deadline. The “Strengthening the Office of Copyright and Related Rights” programme was rated by the Lithuanian authorities as one of the most successful Community cooperation programmes.