A treaty to protect the intellectual property rights of film and television performers worldwide was finalized in Beijing on Tuesday with 48 member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization, including China and the US, signing the document.

The Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances will strengthen the economic rights of film actors and other performers and could provide extra income from their work. It will enable them to share proceeds with producers for revenue generated internationally by audiovisual productions.

"It's very exciting news for all the actors around the world because finally we have a treaty. It has to do with our everyday life," said Agnete Haaland, president of the International Federation of Actors. "Today, you tell us our work is needed and respected."

The signing constitutes a preliminary endorsement by demonstrating a state's intent to examine the treaty domestically and consider ratification, though signing does not create a binding legal obligation to ratify.

The treaty will enter into force once it has been ratified by 30 eligible parties, including countries and intergovernmental organizations.

"The number of countries that have signed it immediately on the spot is significantly high so I think we can look forward to the treaty enjoying rapid and widespread adoption around the world," said Francis Gurry, director-general of the WIPO at the closing ceremony of the Diplomatic Conference on the Protection of Audiovisual Performances.

The conference was attended by 156 WIPO member states, six intergovernmental organizations and 45 NGOs. It was the highest level of participation ever at a WIPO diplomatic conference.

Liu Binjie, head of the General Administration of Press and Publications, said signing the treaty provided extra motivation for China to improve the protection environment of intellectual property rights.

The treaty will also guide the ongoing amendment of the Copyright Law, he said. Introduced in China in 1990, it has been amended twice and the draft of a third amendment is under review.