States are constantly engaged in the process of revising or amending their copyright laws to cope with the pressures of new technologies and the demands of various classes of persons or entities who wish to acquire new rights over copyright works. Since most states are now parties to either or both the Revised Berne Convention (RBC) and the Universal Copyright Convention (UCC), they are aware that any reform of their laws must comply with the obligations imposed by these Conventions. Currently the United States, which is bound only by the UCC, is considering what changes may be necessary to its law in order that it may accede to the RBC and thus gain the improved international protection provided by the latter Convention. In all such cases, an important preliminary question states must face is: how far are they bound to extend the benefit and protection of their copyright law in favour of other members of either Convention?