Unfortunately, the signatories of UN conventions no longer honour them and even in some critical cases obstruct any action by UN agencies. Since those touching upon life and death issues are not observed, I have no doubt that the Berne convention would also be ignored at national convenience. I used to believe in the conventions until I discovered that whole groups of people are denied any access to international law while facing atrocities clearly laid out in UN conventions. Most matters fall under national law in reality. In some countries it doesn't matter how many conventions they signed: they don't observe them within their borders and only look on them as a means for politically impuning their allies as a last resort. I used to share your belief but now have grave doubts. -- Paul. > Douglas -- is it correct to presume that virtually all countries are > signatories to the Berne convention? Or conversely, are there countries > whose citizens generate significant Internet e-mail which are not > signatories to the Berne convention? > > -- Roger Burns [log in to unmask] > -- Dr. Paul S. di Virgilio, University of Toronto [log in to unmask]