«The Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI has entrusted Vatican Radio with the exercise and protection of the copyright and intellectual property rights of all audio recordings of his voice dating back to the period prior to his elevation to the Chair of Peter,» said a communiqué issued today.
The only exception to the agreement is a third party who has «already legitimately acquired» those rights, added the statement.
Even without this agreement, reported the Holy See, Vatican Radio, «according to Article 15 of its statute … has the duty to compile, store and administer the audio archive of the Holy See, ensuring its safe-keeping and overseeing, exclusively and in all circumstances, its copyright and intellectual property rights.»
