Copyright laws exist to protect not only authors or creators of original works of authorship but also all Chain of Title rights holders, including film distributors. The term Chain of Title refers to the documented collection of assignments to the producer, Special Purpose Entity (SPE), distributor or other entity that proves ownership of or distribution rights to a film. While differences subsist in national copyright laws from country to country, as to the regulation of copyright transfers, rules regarding the remuneration of authors and methods of dispute resolution, the guiding principles are enshrined in the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works (the Berne Convention) and relevant international treaties as administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
