Potential and polarization were measured in an electrolyte solution. Copper strips were coated with a polyvinyl acetate emulsion with an optional additional unspecified antiadhesive agent and a benzo-triazole corrosion inhibitor. The protective action of the inhibitor-containing coating was explained not by the increase in the barrier properties, but solely by the properties of the inhibition in retarding aniodic and cathodic reactions on the copper surface. -- AATA