The government decided at the turn of the year that no separate royalties would be levied this year on the copying of films and music for private use. At present, compensation takes the form of an additional fee added to the price of blank CD and DVD discs, digital set-top boxes and mp3 players.
Copyright agencies fear a drop in royalties paid to performers of around 11 million euros this year. The fall results from the recording and copying of music and films to equipment which is not subject to a separate copyright fee such as mobile phones and computers.
The Finnish Composers’ Company Society Teosto estimates over one million mobile phone users in Finland regularly copy music files. However, The Association of Electronic Wholesalers claims most people use their phones primarily for calls and SMS messages. The Association’s CEO Lauri Kaira says a separate copyright fee can only be levied on products specifically used for the copying of music and film files for private use.
A decision taken by the government on the issue is only valid for this year and indications are that a complete reform of the current system is in the pipeline.