The International Conference on "Copyright Management of the Authors and Other Right Holders at the Regional Level: Problems and Solutions" was held in Samarkand during October 10 - 11, 2022.  It was organized by the NGO "Chamber for the Protection of Copyrights of Artists, Creators and Performers" in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The purposes of the conference are to expand international relations within the framework of cooperation agreements concluded between organizations, which manage copyright and related rights on a collective basis in foreign countries, to establish a system for the practical application of concluded reciprocal agreements, to develop mechanisms for managing copyright in the region and abroad, to provide fulfillment of international obligations of our republic in the field of finding ways to expand information exchange among organizations.

The conference was attended by representatives of organizations that manage the property rights of authors and related rights on a collective basis from Kazakhstan, Moldova, Georgia, Sweden, and the Czech Republic, as well as representatives of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO - Geneva) and the Azerbaijan Organization, who participated remotely via the ZOOM platform.

Today, our republic implements a state policy in the field of protection of authors, performers, and other copyright holders. By implementing the international experience, the current copyright legislation is being improved, effective work is being carried out to combat violations and restore violated rights, as well as a system for managing the property rights of right holders on a collective basis, has been introduced. As a result of it, the NGO “Chamber for the Protection of Copyrights of Artists, Creators and Performers” was established as an organization that manages property rights on a collective basis (the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. PF-6000). The Chamber works in constructive cooperation with the relevant ministries and departments to protect authors and reduce copyright piracy.

Uzbekistan is a party to 5 international conventions and several intergovernmental agreements relating to the protection of copyright and related rights. Accordingly, national legislation is constantly being improved. The event provided detailed information on the legislation of other countries in this area.

The conference featured reports and speeches by well-known foreign and domestic scientists, international experts, and specialists. The participants emphasized the key issues in the field of copyright: the lack of practitioners and scientists in the field; the high percentage of unauthorized and arbitrary use of works; difficulties in collecting the appropriate fees when using the works of authors and performers. It was also noted that the share of intellectual property in the economies of countries remains low. To conclude, the participants underlined, the cooperation between CMOs has to be increased.

As a result of the conference, an agreement was reached on further strengthening international cooperation in the field, introducing modern and effective mechanisms, taking into account the realities and conditions of the digital environment in the world, strengthening the exchange of information, improving current legislation based on an in-depth study of foreign experience, as well as conducting human rights work and expanding cooperation.