Collective Copyright Management

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 the

Reprography

In the area of publishing, reprography is the most common form of reproduction. For this reason, remuneration for reprography from reproduction rights organisations (RROs) constitutes an important revenue stream for authors and publishers in many countries. RROs can consequently be an important partner for publishers.Many acts of copying are either difficult to control or difficult to administer. 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 a statute. "Collective copyright management organisations" (CCMOs) can also play a role in administering a remuneration system for private copying activities. CCMOs essentially collect the license fees on behalf of rightsholders (such as authors and publishers), and distribute such revenues to them.

In the area of publishing, reprography is the most common form of reproduction. For this reason, remuneration for reprography constitutes an important part of a publisher's return on his investment. CCMOs administering the reprographic rights on behalf of authors and publishers - often called "reprographic rights organisations" or RROs - can consequently be an important partner for publishers.

RROs exist in more than 50 countries around the world and are linked by their umbrella organisation, the International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organisations (IFRRO).

RROs are currently re-assessing their role in author/publisher relations in the digital age. IPA attempts to ensure that the role of RROs generally, and in the digital world in particular, does not unduly interfere with the "primary market" of publishers. IPA has represented the book and journal publishing industry on the IFRRO Board since 2004, and has traditionally been actively involved in IFRRO's activities. IPA is a member of key IFRRO committees, including the Legal Issues Committee, European Group, Development Committee for Africa and the Middle East, Equipment Levy Forum, Document Delivery Group, Digital Issues Working Group, and Membership Committee.

For more detailed information on the work of RROs:

WIPO/IFRRO publication: Collective management in reprography

Please contact IPA Secretary General should you have a question on the publisher-RRO relationship generally: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.