Introduction

New technologies, from photocopiers, to printers, scanners, PCs and the Internet, have allowed new forms of use of copyright protected works. Copyright laws have adapted by protecting new forms of use such as the protection of recording, broadcasting or making available in the Internet.

 

Some uses, such as small scale photocopying are either difficult to control or to administer individually, act by act. Authors and publishers therefore often mandate organisations to manage their copyrights collectively, either through a voluntary private agreement (with or without legislative support) or through a legal license system enshrined in national law. Reproduction Rights Organisations (RROs) can also play a role in administering a remuneration system for private copying activities. RROs essentially collect the license fees on behalf of rightsholders (such as authors and publishers), and distribute such revenues to them.

 

The following pages explain the basic notions of collective licensing in the area of reprography.