Creative activity is work, and everyone who works deserves respect. Artists are entitled to be paid for their work. When you exchange music files or films on the internet, you are depriving the artist of his pay. And in the end, it is self-defeating because if songwriters are not paid, they will soon stop writing.
Who is an author?
Anybody who paints a picture, writes a text or composes a song is an author. Paintings, music, films, novels etc. are artistic works. Sometimes they are simply called works. Most countries worldwide have enacted rules regulating how artistic works can be used. These rules are known as copyright law. Some key principles of copyright law:
- The author of a work is also its owner.
- The author alone can decide what is done with his work.
- A work can only be published, reproduced, performed in public, broadcast or otherwise disseminated with the author’s consent.
- Authors are entitled to payment for the use of their works.
What works are protected?
Copyright law basically protects all works. There are a few exceptions:
- Expiry of protection: A work may be used without any consent when its author has been dead for 70 years or more.
- Private use: if a work is played or performed within a private circle of friends and family, for example at a family party, no payment is due. This also applies to copies for private use.
- In the classroom: schools may use protected works without consent in the classroom.
Why are collective administration societies necessary?
Collective administration societies were created because it is impossible for the individual artist to track the use of his works. These societies ensure that authors are paid for the use of their works. The Copyright Law lays down the duties, rights and obligations of collective administration societies. The societies are entitled to licence works and collect the corresponding royalties. These are then passed on to the authors.
