Article 18
(Works Existing on Convention's Entry Into Force : 1. Protectable where protection not yet expired in country of origin; 2. Non-protectable where protection already expired in country where it is claimed; 3. Application of these principles; 4. Special cases)
| (1) | This Convention shall apply to all works which, at the moment of its coming into force, have not yet fallen into the public domain in the country of origin throgh the expiry of the term of protection. |
| (2) | If, however, through the expiry of the term of protection which was previously granted, a work has fallen into the public domain of the country where protection is claimed, that work shall not be protected anew. |
| (3) | The application of this principle shall be subject to any provisions contained in special conventions to that effect existing or to be concluded between countries of the Union. In the absence of such provisions, the respective countries shall determine, each in so far as it is concerned, the conditions of application of this principle. |
| (4) | The preceding provisions shall also apply in the case of new accessions to the Union and to cases in which protection is extended by the application of Article 7 or by the abandonment of reservations. |