South Korea plans to sign a copyright treaty with the World Intellectual Property Organization.

The treaty was established in 1996 to protect the copyrights of Internet-based digital and computer-related products worldwide.

An official at the Geneva-based organization said South Korea's membership is expected to enhance its competitive image and improve the domestic environment for foreign investors.

Forty-five countries have signed the Copyright Treaty so far.

The 179-member organization set the standards for recognizing and protecting global copyrights, and also monitors global copyright practices.